Officials see wave of rainbow-colored fentanyl across 21 states
The colorful drug comes in various shapes and sizes including pills, powder and blocks that resemble sidewalk chalk.
LEARN MOREApril 3, 2023
The executive director of the the San Jose Police Officers' Association is accused in a scheme to distribute synthetic opioids.
Authorities claim Joanne Marian Segovia would order synthetic opioids, using her personal and office computers, from dealers overseas.
According to a criminal complaint, Segovia had at least 61 shipments mailed to her home, dating back to October 2015.
"The manifests for these shipments declared their contents with labels like 'Wedding Party Favors,' 'Gift Makeup,' or 'Chocolate and Sweets,'" the Department of Justice said.
During a Homeland Security investigation into a network that was shipping controlled substances into the San Francisco Bay Area from abroad, authorities say they intercepted five shipments meant for Segovia. Inside, they reportedly found thousands of pills, including synthetic opioids.
Investigators claim Segovia was using WhatsApp to communicate about logistics for receiving and sending the pills.
A parcel containing valeryl fentanyl, addressed to Segovia, was seized in Kentucky on March 10, authorities said. The packaged allegedly originated from China.
Segovia made her first court appearance on Friday and was granted conditions of release. She faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted, according to the Department of Justice.
US fighting fentanyl smuggling with new technology at southern border
New technology has cut down drug trafficking inspection time from 15 minutes to roughly 10 seconds at the at the Mariposa Port of Entry.
LEARN MORE