Drug agents seize nearly 3 pounds of fentanyl hidden in cans of beans

Drug agents seize nearly 3 pounds of fentanyl hidden in cans of beans

Members of the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency arrested three people after they say they found nearly three pounds of illegal drugs hidden inside sealed cans of beans.

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In a Facebook post, the MDEA announced the arrests, and shared photos of the drugs as they were found in the cans. Agents said they had been watching the house in Corinth, Maine, because of the amount of fentanyl that was being brought to and distributed from the house.

Photo from the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency shows a can of beans that investigators say contained hidden fentanyl.
Photo from the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency shows a can of beans that investigators say contained hidden fentanyl.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 times stronger than heroin and up to 100 times stronger than morphine. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fentanyl is a major contributor to both deadly and nonfatal overdoses in the U.S. Fentanyl is often added to other drugs because it is so powerful, making drugs less expensive, more addictive, and more dangerous.

Drug agents said they found 2.8 pounds of fentanyl inside sealed cans of beans, as well as $3,000.
Drug agents said they found 2.8 pounds of fentanyl inside sealed cans of beans, as well as $3,000.

Police arrested Jessica and Dusty Bickford, who live at the Corinth home, on trafficking charges, WMTW reported. A third person, Jefferson de la Cruz-Bonilla, was also arrested and faces similar charges.

Dusty Bickford (L), Jessica Bickford (C) and Jefferson de la Cruz-Bonilla (R) are facing charges after agents said they found 2.8 pounds of fentanyl hidden in cans of beans.
Dusty Bickford (L), Jessica Bickford (C) and Jefferson de la Cruz-Bonilla (R) are facing charges after agents said they found 2.8 pounds of fentanyl hidden in cans of beans.

Agents said that in addition to 2.8 pounds of fentanyl in cans of beans, they also found $3,000 in suspected drug proceeds.

Agents said in addition to the 2.8 pounds of fentanyl, they found $3,000.
Agents said in addition to the 2.8 pounds of fentanyl, they found $3,000.