Authorities Seize 91,000 Fentanyl Pills Found Stashed in Lay’s Potato Chip Containers; 2 Men Charged

Two men are facing charges after getting caught trafficking 91,000 fentanyl tablets inside potato chip canisters and crates earlier this month in Whatcom County.

Homeland Security Investigations Pacific Northwest (HIS) special agents, in collaboration with the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office, discovered that Juan E. Hernandez-Hernandez and Alejandro Macias-Velazquez had connections to a crime enterprise implicated in importing huge quantities of illicit drugs into the county.

During the investigation, HSI special agents discovered that Hernandez-Hernandez had requested 91,000 tablets to be shipped to him in Bellingham. Agents later witnessed Macias-Velazquez enter in a parking area to drop a duffel bag.

When police arrived to the scene, they discovered 10 kilograms of fentanyl hidden inside cardboard boxes and empty Lay’s Stax potato chip containers. Both males were detained on the spot.

The matter is being investigated by the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office and Customs and Border Protection’s Air and Marine Operations, according to HSI.

via

Stick with the #Stax and not the #Fentanyl for your midnight munchies. Thanks to the cooperative efforts of @whatcomsheriff and @CBPAMO, #HSI was able to arrest two, seize 91,000 fentanyl pills, and keep this dangerous drug off the streets. What a great #fridayfeeling! pic.twitter.com/LfuAqq35r6

— HSI Pacific Northwest (@HSISeattle) July 22, 2022