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St. Charles County police stop drug traffickers who may be part of 'large criminal organization'

Four people were arrested in two traffic stops within 24 hours. Police said the fentanyl they seized is enough to kill a million people

ST. CHARLES COUNTY, Mo. — Within 24 hours, police in St. Charles County got more than 25 pounds of illegal drugs off the streets. The narcotics were seized during two traffic stops, resulting in four arrests.

Officers told 5 On Your Side the fentanyl alone is enough to kill about a million people.

On Monday morning, officers pulled over Diana Ochoa and Jose Ochoa Jr. of Corona, California, for multiple traffic violations. Police also said they could smell marijuana in their car.

Diana Ochoa allowed officers to search her vehicle. Inside, police said they found nearly two pounds of fentanyl and a pound of heroin wrapped in duct tape. A field test confirmed it was heroin, according to court documents.

The Ochoas, who are mother and son, are both charged with one count of first-degree drug trafficking.

In the probable cause statement, St. Charles County police said the heroin is valued at more than $35,000 on the street, and they believe Diana Ochoa is part of a "large criminal organization."

The mother and son are being held in the St. Charles County jail on $150,000 cash bail. They are facing between 10 and 30 years in prison.

Credit: KSDK

At about 3:30 a.m. Tuesday, police made a similar traffic stop and arrest.

Officers arrested Adam Hutchison and Tinikqua Bosley after police said they found 18 pounds of cocaine and four pounds of fentanyl in their vehicle.

“Eastbound traffic is usually carrying the drugs; the westbound traffic is usually carrying the proceeds from those drugs,” explained St. Charles County prosecutor Tim Lohmar. “Our officers are out there on both sides trying to take away the cash that is going back to the cartels. That's how the cartels get hit.”

Lohmar said busts like these are big not only for St. Charles County but for the state of Missouri.

5 On Your Side's Christine Byers contributed to this report.

Watch the full news conference from officials in St. Charles County

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