Disclaimer: This article contains information about a criminal act and may be distressing for some readers. Please read at your own discretion.
LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) – A man has been charged for his involvement in a conspiracy to import what is believed to be the largest amount of fentanyl precursors ever found in the Southern District of Texas and one of the largest in the country.
So far this year, first responders in our community have reported 27 deaths related to fentanyl poisoning.
As the number of cases continues to rise, federal officials have announced a recent bust they are calling a significant step forward in the war on fentanyl.
On Tuesday, Minsu Fang, also known as Fernando, appeared before Magistrate Judge Diana Song Quiroga in Laredo. Fang is accused of importing enough fentanyl precursor chemicals from China to potentially kill millions of Americans.
According to U.S. Attorney Alamdar Hamdani, Fang allegedly imported over 2,000 kilograms (more than two tons) of raw materials from China, intended for various locations in Mexico to manufacture fentanyl.
The unsealed charges allege that Fang and his associates shipped the chemicals from China into the U.S. and then to Mexico in roughly 100 separate shipments between August and October of 2023.
According to the source, some of the chemicals were found in various UPS shipments.
Agents also seized a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet provided by Fang, which contained the names, addresses, telephone numbers, and tracking numbers of the packages expected to be shipped to Mexico, thus preventing the substances from reaching the streets of Laredo.
Hernan Martinez from the Laredo Fire Department knows firsthand the signs and symptoms that a person might have consumed fentanyl. “Fentanyl is being found in all types of drugs, whether it would be cocaine, any type of pill form, or any illegal drugs.
We’re finding that most people are not trying to do fentanyl, but it just happens that the drugs they are trying to consume have fentanyl, and that’s when overdoses happen,” Martinez explains.
Martinez described the signs of fentanyl overdose: “Some of the signs and symptoms are pinpoint pupils, so you look at the part of their eyes; if it’s very, very small, that’s one of the major signs we look for.
Other signs include unconsciousness, slow respiration, or gurgling sounds, especially when the person doesn’t snore. It’s best to check them, and of course, being unconscious.”
Local agencies continue to promote awareness of the deadly consequences of fentanyl and ways to help someone who has overdosed. “The only thing that would help that person would be Narcan.
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We have multiple locations available for the community that are completely free here at our administration building, and I know the south side has a Narcan cabinet, and there are 8 rec centers in the city that have Narcan cabinets available,” Martinez added.
If convicted, Fang could face life in prison and a $10 million fine. His next court hearing is set for Tuesday, July 30th, at the Laredo federal courthouse.