Maricopa County Sheriff’s officials said two men were arrested after the seizure of a large amount of narcotic drugs inside a stuff animal.

Detectives with the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area and the Maricopa County Drug Suppression Task Force wrapped up a five-month investigation by identifying a group selling fentanyl-laced Oxycontin on Valley streets.

Detectives served several search warrants in the investigation and seized about 8,000 fentanyl pills from various locations, including a storage unit in the Maryvale area, according to a release announcing the arrests.

Sheriff’s officials said $10,000 in cash and a handgun also were seized. Records show about $40,000 in evidence was recovered.

As a result, 33-year-old Octavio Gutierrez-Hernandez and 23-year-old Jorge Bazan were booked into jail Monday on suspicion of conspiracy and possession of narcotic drugs for sale.

Undercover agents had been arranging meets with the two since November to purchase the drugs before making an arrest on Monday.

Their bonds were each set at $10,000.

Read more on this story in the Daily News-Sun May 24 edition.

MCSO recovered about 8,000 fentanyl pills as a result of a months-long investigation. (Submitted photo)