International drug trafficking network in metro Phoenix dismantled by Operation Night Owl

PHOENIX — A massive fentanyl bust in Arizona has taken over 2 million pills of the potentially deadly drug off the streets, authorities said.

It’s also taken out key players behind the importation of bulk fentanyl pills along with other drugs, according to the Phoenix Police Department.

The department announced Thursday that it partnered with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to dismantle an international criminal drug operation.

Law enforcement agencies from California, Colorado, Utah and Nevada also were involved in what was called Operation Night Owl, a complex investigation into drug trafficking and money laundering that lasted a year.

Investigators worked with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office to target the heads of several drug trafficking organizations that operated in Arizona and Mexico.

Stash houses and distribution hubs in metro Phoenix were also taken apart through Operation Night Owl.

What else did massive fentanyl bust in Arizona seize?

In addition to the massive cache of fentanyl pills, the Phoenix Police Department Conspiracy Squad, along with the DEA, took 21 kilograms of fentanyl powder, 12.6 pounds of heroin, 133 pounds of methamphetamine and 8.5 kilograms of cocaine off the streets.

They also seized 12 vehicles, 15 firearms and around $75,000.

Lastly, Operation Night Owl led to 17 indictments against members of the drug trafficking organization.

It took 3,000 hours of surveillance, along with 200 court orders and search warrants.