United States Drug Enforcement Administration

DENVER – The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Rocky Mountain Field Division (RMFD) has announced the seizure of approximately 1.7 million counterfeit fentanyl pills from a storage facility in the Denver suburb of Highlands Ranch. 

This is the largest one-time seizure of counterfeit pills in Colorado history, and the sixth-largest, single seizure of suspected fentanyl pills in United States history.

“This played out like an episode of a TV show, where a winning bidder legally bought a storage unit and unbeknownst to them, the unit contained 1.7 million counterfeit fentanyl pills and another 12 kilograms of fentanyl powder,” said DEA Rocky Mountain Field Division Special Agent in Charge David Olesky. “There is no doubt many lives have been saved by keeping these poison pills of the streets of Colorado.”

Upon noticing the contents of the storage unit, the bidder immediately contacted the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.

“I want to thank the citizen who reported this discovery, the storage facility staff for their cooperation, and the deputies who responded quickly and professionally,” said Douglas County Sheriff Darren Weekly. “Let me send a strong and unmistakable message: fentanyl and illegal narcotics will not be tolerated in Douglas County. Our deputies, detectives, and crime lab professionals are committed to keeping this community safe, and we will remain relentless in that mission.” 

The record seizure is connected with an ongoing DEA and Colorado Bureau of Investigation case. The registered owner of the storage unit is already in federal custody.

“The seizure of these drugs represents countless lives saved, as these dangerous substances will never reach our communities. Our mission to get drugs off the streets and put traffickers behind bars remains as vital as ever,” Colorado Bureau of Investigation Director Armando Saldate stated. 

In addition to the 1.7 million pills, the 12 kilograms of powder seized had the potential to yield up to an additional six million pills.

Colorado Governor Jared Polis praised the hard work of federal, state, and local law enforcement.

“I want to thank everyone who helped us with the largest successful fentanyl seizure in Colorado history. Getting more of this deadly drug off the streets saves lives. In Colorado, we are cracking down on crime, apprehending dangerous criminals, and keeping our communities safe. I thank the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and our federal partners for working with us to get criminals off of Colorado streets, out of our communities, and ensure Coloradans and families are safe,” said Governor Polis.

Due to the ongoing investigation, no further updates are planned at this time.