Police seize drug 100 times more powerful than fentanyl, arrest father and son in Provo

PROVO — A drug was seized Wednesday in Utah County. According to law enforcement, it is 10,000 times more potent than morphine and 100 times more potent than fentanyl and is commonly used as an elephant tranquilizer.

The Utah County Major Crimes Narcotics Unit arrested a father and son in Provo Wednesday and seized several drugs, including carfentanil.

The investigation began when Homeland Security agents intercepted a package being shipped from outside the United States to an address in Utah. The package contained 20 grams of carfentanil.

“I know from my training and experience that carfentanil is 10,000 times more potent than morphine and that a likely fatal dose is close to 100 micrograms. Twenty point eight grams of carfentanil would be almost 210,000 lethal doses,” the arresting officer wrote in a statement. police booking affidavit.

Carfentanil is an analogue of fentanyl, but even more dangerous. The Drug Enforcement Administration issued a warning about the deadly drug in 2016.

“Carfentanil is a Schedule II substance of the Controlled Substances Act and is used as a tranquilizing agent for elephants and other large mammals. The lethal dose range of carfentanil in humans is unknown. However, as noted , carfentanil is approximately 100 times more potent than fentanyl, which can be fatal at 2 milligrams, depending on the route of administration and other factors,” the DEA wrote in 2016.

With the help of the U.S. Postal Inspector, Utah County investigators identified Brian Lee Pendleton, 64, and his son, Clint James Pendleton, 29, as possible suspects.

“During the investigation, sufficient probable cause was obtained and a search warrant affidavit was completed for their Provo residence,” the affidavit states.

When investigators searched Clint Pendleton’s room, “methamphetamine and other drug paraphernalia were found.” Detectives also found a ledger that appeared to contain purchase/debt records and logins for various websites likely associated with the dark web,” according to the arrest report.

During a search of Brian Pendleton’s bedroom, heroin, methamphetamine, fentanyl pills, Xanax pills, marijuana, drug paraphernalia and four firearms were found, according to the affidavit.

Brian Pendleton was arrested in connection with an investigation into four counts of drug possession with intent to distribute, four counts of restricted person in possession of a firearm, possession of drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Clint Pendleton was arrested for investigation of drug distribution, three counts of drug possession and possession of drug paraphernalia.