Police seize drug 100 times more potent than fentanyl, arrest father and son in Provo

PROVO — A drug was seized in Utah County Wednesday that law enforcers say is 10,000 times more potent than morphine and 100 times more potent than fentanyl, typically used as an elephant tranquilizer.

The Utah County Major Crimes Narcotics Unit arrested a father and son in Provo Wednesday and seized several drugs, including carfentanil.

The investigation began when agents from Homeland Security intercepted a package being shipped from outside the United States to an address in Utah. The package contained 20 grams of carfentanil.

“I know from my training and experience that carfentanil is 10,000 times more potent than morphine and a likely fatal dose is near 100 micrograms. Twenty-point-eight grams of carfentanil would equate to nearly 210,000 fatal doses,” the arresting deputy wrote in a police booking affidavit.

Carfentanil is an analog of fentanyl, but even more dangerous. The Drug Enforcement Administration issued a warning about the deadly drug in 2016.

“Carfentanil is a Schedule II substance under the Controlled Substances Act and is used as a tranquilizing agent for elephants and other large mammals. The lethal dose range for carfentanil in humans is unknown. However, as noted, carfentanil is approximately 100 times more potent than fentanyl, which can be lethal at the 2-milligram range, depending on route of administration and other factors,” the DEA wrote in 2016.

With the help of the U.S. postal inspector, investigators in Utah County identified Brian Lee Pendleton, 64, and his son, 29-year-old Clint James Pendleton, as possible suspects.

“During the course of the investigation enough probable cause was obtained and a search warrant affidavit was drafted for their Provo residence,” the affidavit states.

When investigators searched Clint Pendleton’s room, “methamphetamine and additional drug paraphernalia was located. Detectives also located a ledger that appeared to have buy/owe sheets and logins for different websites likely associated with the dark web,” according to the arrest report.

During a search of Brian Pendleton’s room, heroin, methamphetamine, fentanyl pills, Xanax pills, marijuana, drug paraphernalia and four guns were found, according to the affidavit.

Brian Pendleton was arrested for investigation of four counts of drug possession with intent to distribute, four counts of being a restricted person in possession of a firearm, drug possession and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Clint Pendleton was arrested for investigation of drug distribution, three counts of drug possession and possession of drug paraphernalia.