GEORGIA — Federal agents have arrested a man accused of selling fentanyl-laced pills at a farmers market in the metro Atlanta area, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Prosecutors said Luis Sanchez-Acevedo appeared in court Wednesday to face charges related to the alleged distribution of fentanyl from a produce stand at a farmers market in Forest Park. Authorities allege Sanchez-Acevedo sold counterfeit “M-30” pills containing fentanyl.
U.S. Attorney Theodore Hertzberg said agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration investigated Sanchez-Acevedo during September and October of last year. Prosecutors allege he sold approximately 3,000 counterfeit pills from or near the produce stand he operated at the Forest Park farmers market.
Laboratory testing showed the seized pills contained fentanyl and xylazine, a sedative commonly used for large animals that prosecutors said is extremely dangerous for humans. Agents arrested Sanchez-Acevedo Tuesday at his produce stand, where they reportedly recovered an additional 1,000 counterfeit pills during a search.
Further investigation determined Sanchez-Acevedo is a citizen of Mexico and is not legally in the United States, according to the Justice Department.
“This defendant is accused of distributing fentanyl, a drug responsible for countless overdose poisonings across our country,” said Jae W. Chung, special agent in charge of the DEA’s Atlanta Division.
Sanchez-Acevedo is charged with possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute. The case remains under investigation.
