LMPD: More than 8 kilos of fentanyl and 20K+ pills seized in Louisville storage unit
A Louisville storage unit has been emptied of a massive amount of deadly drugs, according to a Louisville Metro Police Facebook post Tuesday.
A long-term joint investigation by LMPD and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration led officials to the storage unit Monday, which contained 8.5 kilos of suspected fentanyl and between 20,000 and 30,000 suspected pressed fentanyl pills, the post stated.
Related: Louisville child, 6, dies from Fentanyl overdose, coroners say
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Fentanyl is a powerful opioid that is prescribed for the treatment of severe pain, but has a high risk for addiction and dependence.
The rate of overdose deaths in Jefferson County — many attributed to fentanyl — increased nearly 60% from 2019 to 2020, jumping from 379 to 603.
In 2021 the coroner's office handled 508 confirmed overdoses, plus another 85 potential overdoses that are still being processed.
Related: Kentucky among top states where overdose deaths have spiked during COVID-19 pandemic
"While the investigation does remain ongoing, this serves as a reminder that the diligent work of officers saves lives every day," LMPD's post says.
No other details, such as arrests or the location of the find, were released by police.
Contact reporter Krista Johnson at kjohnson3@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: LMPD: More than 8 kilos of fentanyl seized in Louisville storage unit
