MESA—Rep. Greg Stanton today recognized members of the Mesa Police Department with a Congressional Commendation following a July 4th bust that removed 223 pounds of fentanyl from Arizona’s streets. Rep. Stanton was joined by Mesa Mayor John Giles, Police Chief Ken Cost, City Councilmembers Julie Spilsbury, Jenn Duff, Scott Somers and Alicia Goforth to congratulate the officers.
“Our local police officers are the last line of defense to prevent these deadly drugs from reaching our communities. I’m honored to be here today to recognize the work that the Mesa Police Department has done to protect the East Valley from fentanyl,” Rep. Stanton said.
“I am deeply grateful to the brave men and women in uniform who played a critical role in the recent drug bust that made headlines last month,” Mayor Giles said. “The discovery of over 200 pounds of fentanyl . . . the equivalent of more than a million lethal doses.”
“Fentanyl is impacting our community - you read about the number of people including children we lose to overdose deaths, so this is a very serious issue in Mesa,” Chief Cost said. “Our officers saved 138 people’s lives who would have overdosed, and I am thankful for the leadership of our officers.”
Those recognized include Sergeant Ed Fire, Detective Brett Metcalf and Officers Cody Shaw, Malakai West, Jay Salcido, Francisco Parada, Oscar Rubio, and Cindy Martinez.
Video from the event can be viewed HERE. Photos of the event can be found HERE.