The Fort Bend County Narcotics Task – a multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional drug enforcement group – has arrested Luis Garcia, 49, of McAllen after finding him in possession of more than 10,000 Fentanyl-laced Xanax tablets, according to a Fort Bend County Sheriffs Office press release.

“The seizure of illegal substances is always important,” said Sheriff Troy Nehls. “In this case, taking this much Fentanyl off the streets, saved lives.” 

Garcia is in custody at the Fort Bend County Jail on first degree felony charges of manufacturing/delivery of a controlled substance.

The street value of the drugs found in the bust is estimated at $150,000, the FBCSO statement said.

According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency’s website, fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 80-100 times stronger than morphine. The drug was developed for pain management treatment of cancer patients and applied in a patch on the skin when used for medical purposes. However, the substance is also added to heroin to increase its potency and is often laced into other illicit drugs for similar results. Nearly 3,000 Americans die each year from overdoses involving Fentanyl.