Over 1 kilo of fentanyl recovered after arrest of 'known' narcotics trafficker: SFPD

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- A multi-agency investigation into a suspected narcotics trafficker in San Francisco’s Mid-Market neighborhood resulted in the arrest of a 22-year-old Oakland resident and the recovery of over a kilogram of fentanyl, the San Francisco Police Department announced Friday.

According to SFPD, over the past month, a joint investigation between its Narcotics Unit, the San Francisco Sheriff’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Army National Guard focused on a known narcotics trafficker who actively sells fentanyl in the area of Sixth and Market streets. Probable cause was developed to obtain a search warrant for the suspect, identified as Axel Narniel Escoto Amaya, 22, of Oakland, as well as Amaya’s vehicle and residence, the police said.

At around 12 a.m. on Tuesday, police officers saw Amaya at Fifth and Market streets and took him into custody for narcotics trafficking. Amaya had suspected fentanyl and methamphetamine in his possession at the time of his arrest, SFPD said.

In the early morning hours of Oct. 30, a search warrant was served at Amaya’s Oakland residence on the 1100 block of 11th Avenue. Authorities discovered over 1,100 grams of fentanyl, over 100 grams of methamphetamine, 1.5 pounds of marijuana and items used for narcotics trafficking and manufacturing, according to SFPD. Police also said they uncovered loaded firearms, including a machine gun, high-capacity magazines, ammunition and U.S. currency.

Amaya was booked into the San Francisco County Jail for:

• Sales of controlled substance possession for sale (fentanyl)
• Possession for sale of methamphetamine
• Possession for sale of a controlled substance while armed
• Unlawful possession of a machine gun
• Possession for sale of marijuana
• Maintaining a premise where narcotics are used/sold
• Transportation of a controlled substance
• Manufacturing a controlled substance

The case remains open and active. Anyone with information is asked to contact the San Francisco Police Department at (415)-575-4444 or text a tip to TIP411 and begin the message with SFPD.