Arrested with a child, enough fentanyl to kill 12M people in her car
Woman caught with fentanyl waives bond hearing
A Gwinnett County woman accused of trafficking a staggering amount of fentanyl will remain in jail after her attorney withdrew a request for bond Friday
GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. - A Gwinnett County woman accused of trafficking a staggering amount of fentanyl will remain in jail after her attorney withdrew a request for bond Friday.
What we know:
Celia Lara-Rios, 34, was arrested in July after Auburn police said she was caught with nearly 25 kilograms of fentanyl, the equivalent of about 55 pounds. Prosecutors say she has ties to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, one of Mexico’s most powerful drug organizations.
According to her arrest warrant, Lara-Rios was knowingly in possession of more than 24,958 grams of fentanyl. They say that amount is enough to kill more than 12 million people, with just two milligrams potentially proving fatal.
Celia Lara-Rios (Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office)
When she was taken into custody, prosecutors said Lara-Rios had a child in the car with her.
She now faces two felony charges: trafficking in morphine, opium, or heroin in excess of 28 grams, and using a communication facility in the commission of a felony involving controlled substances.
The Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office jail log shows Lara-Rios is being held on an ICE detainer.
Authorities described the bust as one of the largest fentanyl seizures in Georgia.
What we don't know:
It remains unclear if the drugs seized were pure fentanyl or mixed with other substances.
Massive fentanyl bust: Woman arrested with kid in car
Celia Lara-Rios, 34, was arrested in Gwinnett County by Auburn Police in July. According to her arrest warrant, she was knowingly in "possession of 24,958 grams or more of fentanyl of any mixture." That's roughly 24.9 kilos of the drug, which is enough fentanyl to kill more than 12 million people, according to the DEA.
What's next:
Lara-Rios is set for a bond hearing on Tuesday, but that was waived.
It is not yet known when Lara-Rios will next appear in court.
The Source: The details in this article come from arrest warrants provided by the Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration also provided details.