DEA finds 700,000 fentanyl-laced pills hidden in roofing shingles
An investigation led by the Drug Enforcement Administration East Valley Drug Enforcement Task Force resulted in two Arizona men being faced with charges after agents seized about 700,000 blue M30 pills laced with fentanyl, which were hidden in factory-sealed packages of roofing shingles, according to DEA.
Carlos Rene Montes of Tucson, Ariz., and Miguel Angel Sesma of Phoenix were charged March 11 by federal criminal complaint with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute fentanyl.
On March 10, DEA Phoenix East Valley Drug Enforcement Task Force investigators observed Montes driving to a Phoenix store parking lot and parking next to Sesma’s white Ford F250. After speaking briefly with Sesma, Montes transferred factory-sealed packages of roofing shingles from his car to Sesma’s car.
After Montes left the parking lot, investigators conducted traffic stops on both vehicles, searched Sesma’s truck and seized about 114 pounds of blue M30 pills laced with fentanyl, which were hidden in the roofing shingles. Sesma and Montes were then arrested.
Conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute more than 400 grams of fentanyl carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years to life in prison and a fine of up to $10 million.
Most common mistakes when using ladders
Improper ladder use is one of the most frequently cited Occupational Safety and Health Administration violations each year, accounting for construction industry fatalities and injuries. According to Safety+Health magazine, there are 10 common mistakes that can lead to ladder-related injuries.
- Not determining whether a ladder is the safest equipment for the job. In certain cases, it might be best to use different equipment. It is important to perform a job hazard or task hazard analysis to determine which equipment is the safest option for the task.
- Not choosing the right ladder. For example, selecting a ladder that is too short can cause workers to climb to an unsafe level to reach something. Also, anyone working near power lines should not use a ladder made of a conductive material such as aluminum. Instead, they should choose one made of nonconductive materials such as wood or fiberglass.
- Failing to inspect a ladder before use. It’s vital to catch issues such as broken rungs or other damage before using a ladder. Also, make sure the ladder is free of mud, snow or other debris that could cause a user to slip or fall.
- Not knowing the proper angle. When placing a ladder against a wall or any other kind of vertical surface, it should be set up at an optimal 75-degree angle.
- Not using at least three points of contact. Three points of contact is generally accepted as two feet and one hand or one foot and two hands to help maintain stability.
- Carrying items. Attempting to climb a ladder while holding tools or other objects can cause workers to lose their balance, which could lead to a fall. The American Ladder Institute recommends using towlines, a tool belt or an assistant to convey materials so the climber’s hands are free when climbing.
- Leaning or reaching beyond the ladder rails. Doing so can cause workers to lose their balance and fall. One general rule is the “belt buckle rule,” which refers to keeping your belt buckle between the side rails. Instead of reaching or leaning, get down from the ladder and move it to the proper spot.
- Not knowing the most-cited ladder violation. In fiscal year 2024, ladder-related citations were ranked third on OSHA’s Top 10 list of most-cited standards for the year. When a portable ladder is used to access an “upper landing surface,” OSHA requires a ladder to extend at least 3 feet above that upper landing surface. OSHA also requires that, when an extension isn’t possible because of the length of the ladder, it should be secured at its top to a “rigid support” and a grasping device be provided to employees who are mounting or dismounting the ladder.
- Standing on top or near the top. Using the top or a top step of a stepladder is an OSHA violation. The agency also advises not using the top three rungs on single, straight or extension ladders.
- Not using a ladder for its intended purpose. According to a toolbox talk from the Utah Plumbing and Heating Contractor’s Association, examples include using a ladder as a brace, gangway, plank, platform, scaffold or material hoist.
