Tucson Police Department recently busted a supply house for fentanyl near Speedway and Camino Seco. A public information officer for TPD said this “bust” led them to thousands of rainbow fentanyl pills. Police received reports of meth, fentanyl, and multiple firearms being sold at an apartment complex in the 2500 block of North Dodge Boulevard, so TPD stopped a woman who was approaching the apartment. The woman was 41-year-old Monique Martinez. When she was stopped, the police found over 3,300 fentanyl pills, half an ounce of crack cocaine, half an ounce of heroin, and a 9-millimeter handgun. Martinez was charged with possession of narcotics for sale.

When police searched the apartment they found even more fentanyl pills, guns, meth, and thousands of dollars in stolen property. Kenneth Taylor, Henry Martinez, and Ernest King were all arrested on prohibited possession and possession of narcotics for sale. TPD officers found 65,000 dollars in cash, 3 shotguns, an AK-47, an M4, and around 10 handguns. Officers also found 53,000 fentanyl pills, 8 pounds of meth, half a pound of heroin, over 1,000 counterfeit Xanax, an ounce of cocaine, and 1,000 rainbow fentanyl pills in the house. They believe this house supplied Martinez’s apartment with the drugs and firearms found on her. Matthew Hammons and Kalia Hall were arrested in the home for several felony charges related to firearms and drug possession.

TPD said their biggest fear is, “These pills are very attractive, and you would want to grab a handful, but just ingesting one can kill you.” They fear children and young people won’t understand the dangers of fentanyl and take it. Experts at Banner Poison and Drug Information Center said they are seeing up to 10 overdoses a week from fentanyl. The public information officer for TPD also said they are urging parents to not only talk to their kids about the danger of this drug, but to also call 88-CRIME if they see drug deals taking place in public. Police are asking the community for help in getting these drugs off the streets and to not be hesitant to call 911 when they see suspicious activity.