A brother-sister duo and a third suspect accused of being major fentanyl traffickers have been arrested in a significant Los Angeles-area drug bust that seized nearly $55 million worth of fentanyl, officials said Tuesday.

The arrests and drug seizures were a result of a long-term joint investigation led by the Downey Police Department and California Department of Justice that recovered over 50 pounds of fentanyl, surpassing the total amount seized at the U.S.-Canadian border in 2024. Authorities also found two firearm suppressors, narcotics packaging, 20 kilograms of powder fentanyl, 5 kilograms of heroin, 10 pounds of methamphetamine and 1 kilogram of cocaine.

“Fentanyl remains the leading cause of death in accidental drug overdose cases in Los Angeles County,” District Attorney Nathan Hochman said in a statement. “Just 1 kilo of fentanyl has the potential to kill 500,000 people.”Priscilla Gomez, 43, from Torrance, and her 47-year-old brother, Gustavo Omar Gomez from Huntington Park, face at least two counts each of possession for sale of a controlled substance. The pair could serve around 24 to 28 years for their charges if convicted.

Their 38-year-old suspected co-conspirator, Carlos Manuel Mariscal, from Huntington Park, also faces two counts of possession for sale of a controlled substance, with two additional counts for possession of a silencer and unlawful possession of ammunition prohibited by a prior conviction. Mariscal could face a little over 31 years if convicted, officials said.