There have been 12 overdoses, including a fatality, at the Estrella Jail over one week with the latest occurring Feb. 14, the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office announced.

Investigators believe the incidents stem from the undetected smuggling of illegal narcotics into the facility.

“MCSO detention staff conducted thorough cell searches and uncovered quantities of what is believed to be fentanyl in possession of an inmate. The drugs were hidden in the individual’s genitalia, making detection problematic and impossible,” an MCSO release stated.

MCSO detectives said they believe “this contributed to the recent spike of overdoses and potentially to the death of an inmate that occurred early Friday morning.

Inmates have been identified during the investigation, and detectives are working with jail crimes investigators regarding charges, authorities said.

Sheriff Jerry Sheridan said MCSO is working to obtain X-ray machines for each jail to help prevent such smuggling.

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