Cerritos man accused of running 2 labs that made fake pills laced with fentanyl

A federal grand jury has indicted a Cerritos man for allegedly operating two Los Angeles area labs that manufactured fake fentanyl-laced pills which were than sold to unwitting customers online as other prescription drugs, officials announced Monday, Nov. 21

Christopher Hampton, 36, who prosecutors believe was active on several darknet markets since January 2021 primarily using the online alias “Narco710,” faces 11 counts, officials said at a news conference..

Authorities said Hampton bought fentanyl in bulk and organized a network of people to operate labs in Inglewood and Compton. A high-speed pill press createed the fake pills resembling oxycodone pills, which in fact were laced with fentanyl and methamphetamine.

Investigators said they have discovered almost $1.5 million in profits on two of Hampton’s nine online accounts, according to court records.

Hampton, whom the grand jury indicted Friday, was arrested on Nov. 2, In the course of the investigation, six search warrants led to the seizure of 450 pounds of suspected narcotics, six pill-presses, illegal firearms and more than 20,000 multi-colored pills containing fentanyl, authorities said.

All 11 counts were related to distribution, conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine, and maintaining a premises for drug distribution. If convicted, he could be sentenced to life in prison.

The case highlighted what local, state, and federal agencies said is a growing and life-threatening problem across the region.

In Los Angeles County, 1,600 people died of fentanyl poisoning in 2021. In Orange County, the last three years have seen a 500% increase in deaths, U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada said.

Jamie Puerta, president of Victims of Illicit Drugs, and his wife Denise, lost their 16-year-old son Daniel Puerta-Johnson on April 6, 2020 due to fentanyl poisoning.

L.A. Sheriff’s Department investigators told the family a half of a blue pill that looked like oxycodone was found on Daniel’s dresser in his bed room. When tested, the pill contained no medical grade oxycodone – only fentanyl and filler.

Puerta urged specific fentanyl education in all schools to combat what has become a leading cause of death in young people.

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