LOUISVILLE, Ky. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in Louisville seized a shipment arriving from South Africa last Wednesday, Sept. 21, containing enough fentanyl to kill 220,700 people, according to officials. 

What You Need To Know

  • Over 441 grams of fentanyl were seized last week at the Port of Louisville, with an estimated street value of $58,000

  • 32.8 grams of cocaine were also seized from the shipment, with an estimated street value of $3,280

  • Both substances were found in a shipment that was manifested as water purification and was bound for Littleton, Colo.

  • Since September, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol say they've seized over $4.6 million worth of illegal substances arriving in the Port of Louisville

CBP officers detained the shipment, which was manifested as water purification. When officers inspected the package, they found a bottle labeled as Hydrozone ph-Balance containing a white powder. The powder tested positive for fentanyl. A small zip-lock bag of white powder labeled as Bicarbonate minerals also tested positive for fentanyl. In total, officers seized 441 grams of fentanyl, with an estimated street value of at least $58,000.

Also inside the package was a small zip-close bag of a white crystal substance labeled as Magnesium mix, which tested positive for cocaine — a total of 32.8 grams. The street value for the cocaine is estimated at $3,280. The entire shipment was destined for a residence in Littleton, Colo. 

On Sept. 21, 2022, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol found a bag of a white crystal substance labeled as Magnesium mix. Officers tested this substance which was positive for cocaine- a total of 32.8 grams. The cocaine had a street value of $3,280. This shipment was destined for a residence in Littleton, Colorado. (U.S. Customs and Border Patrol)

CBP officers have been seizing narcotics that are arriving at the Port of Louisville. Since the beginning of September, officers have seized 17 pounds of cocaine, 20 pounds of fentanyl, 83 pounds of steroids, 119 pounds of ketamine, 123 pounds of heroin, 141 pounds of methamphetamine and 251 pounds of marijuana. In total, they estimate the drugs seized would have a street value of over $4.6 million.

“Our officers are committed to keep our country and communities safe from illegal and dangerous drugs,” said Louisville’s Port Director Thomas Mahn. “This seizure is one example of the quality enforcement work they do on a daily basis.”

Cocaine is a dangerous and highly addictive stimulant. Abuse of the drug can lead to paranoia, exhaustion, heart conditions, convulsions, stroke and death.

Fentanyl is an extremely toxic substance to handle and a dangerous narcotic to use. It is a synthetic opioid which binds to and activates opioid receptors to the brain, creating analgesic and euphoric effects. According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, fentanyl is added to heroin to increase its potency, or to be disguised as highly potent heroin. It is also used to mimic pharmaceutical drugs like oxycodone.

Recently, there has been a re-emergence of trafficking, distribution and abuse of illicitly produced fentanyl in the U.S. with an associated dramatic increase in overdose deaths from 2,666 in 2011 to 31,335 in 2018.

Both cocaine and fentanyl are designated as Schedule II substances under the Controlled Substances Act. 

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