Atlanta traffic stop results in a massive fentanyl drug bust, enough to produce over 400,000 lethal doses

On the Fourth of July, Forsyth County deputies pulled over a vehicle on Georgia Highway 400 because they suspected the driver was under the influence. When police searched the car, they found cocaine, psilocybin mushrooms, a stolen firearm, and 70 pounds of methamphetamine in the trunk.

The driver, Brian Vasquez, and the passenger, Maria Romero Vega, were arrested on several charges, including drug trafficking, theft, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

Vasquez and Vega were taken into custody at Forsyth County Jail without bond.

When local deputies launched an investigation with state and federal agencies to uncover the source of the drugs, they discovered a warehouse in Alpharetta, a methamphetamine lab in Ellijay, and a stash house in Buckhead.

While searching the warehouse, law enforcement uncovered 40 grams of fentanyl, 16 grams of heroin, 32 grams of cocaine, 14 ounces of marijuana, and a firearm.

Law enforcement continued their search with the meth lab and stash house, finding another 776 grams of fentanyl, 34 grams of meth, and two firearms.

In total, police made four arrests and retrieved 816 grams of fentanyl. According to the DEA's lethal dose estimates, that's potentially enough to create 408,000 lethal doses.

In a statement to WAGA-TV, Sheriff Ron Freeman stated, "That's enough to kill everyone in Forsyth County, if it was spread the right way. This is likely cartel related and related to a larger drug trafficking organization that we've made a significant dent in."

This drug bust comes as fentanyl-related deaths surge in Georgia. According to the Georgia Department of Public Health, fentanyl overdoses increased 106.2% between May 1, 2020, and April 30, 2021, compared to the previous year.

Sheriff Freeman stated, "It's not about who gets the pat on the back, it's about getting fentanyl off the streets, so somebody doesn't die."

The investigation is still ongoing.