Drug agents seize nearly 3 pounds of fentanyl hidden in cans of beans

CORINTH, Maine — Members of the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency arrested three people after they say they found nearly three pounds of illegal drugs hidden inside sealed cans of beans.

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In a Facebook post, the MDEA announced the arrests, and shared photos of the drugs as they were found in the cans. Agents said they had been watching the house in Corinth, Maine, because of the amount of fentanyl that was being brought to and distributed from the house.

Drug agents seize nearly 3 pounds of fentanyl hidden in cans of beans Photo from the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency shows a can of beans that investigators say contained hidden fentanyl. (MDEA)

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 times stronger than heroin and up to 100 times stronger than morphine. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fentanyl is a major contributor to both deadly and nonfatal overdoses in the U.S. Fentanyl is often added to other drugs because it is so powerful, making drugs less expensive, more addictive, and more dangerous.

Drug agents seize nearly 3 pounds of fentanyl hidden in cans of beans Drug agents said they found 2.8 pounds of fentanyl inside sealed cans of beans, as well as $3,000. (MDEA)

Police arrested Jessica and Dusty Bickford, who live at the Corinth home, on trafficking charges, WMTW reported. A third person, Jefferson de la Cruz-Bonilla, was also arrested and faces similar charges.