Federal authorities have accused two men in the New York tristate area of peddling a synthetic opioid three times more deadly than fentanyl to an undercover source.
Miguel de Jesus Reyes Medina, of Yonkers, New York, and Erik Alberto Lopez Valdez, of Camden, New Jersey, were arrested Thursday in connection with drug-related charges after the encounter, said the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Reyes Medina allegedly agreed in April to sell fentanyl to an undercover source working with law enforcement. Days later, Reyes Medina allegedly arranged for Lopez Valdez to deliver 420 grams of narcotics to the same source.
Subsequent testing indicated the drugs consisted of nearly 500 grams of protonitazene, a synthetic opioid that is three times more potent than fentanyl, authorities confirmed.
DEA Special Agent in Charge Frank A. Tarentino III said the arrests "saved another family from having to bury their loved one."
Reyes Medina and Lopez Valdez have both been charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl. Reyes Medina faces two counts of distribution of protonitazene, while Lopez Valdez has been charged with a single count.
They face up to 20 years in prison, if convicted.
