Space Coast drug bust nets enough fentanyl, heroin to kill everyone in Brevard County, sheriff says

The investigation focused on the sale of large quantities of heroin, fentanyl and methamphetamine.

Suspects in the large drug bust ranged in age from 23 to 56 and were part of a criminal organization distributing kilogram quantities of the illegal drugs, according to Space Coast Daily.

As of Wednesday afternoon, Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey said as many as 60 people had been arrested.

Ivey described the amount of drugs confiscated in the bust as "enough fentanyl to kill everyone in Brevard County," which has a population close to 600,000.

Investigators also seized guns and money as part of the investigation.

Sheriff's spokesman Tod Goodyear said almost 200 people have died in opiate-related incidents over the past two years in Brevard County, according to the newspaper.

"Many of these deaths are directly related to fentanyl, a powerful opioid that is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine and 30 to 50 times more potent than heroin," Goodyear said.

Fentanyl is so powerful, it can incapacitate anyone who comes into contact with it because it can be absorbed through the skin or accidentally inhaled.