In under a week, the California Highway Patrol confiscated nearly $1.7 million worth of fentanyl during two separate traffic stops on Interstate 5, including drugs concealed in packages of raw beef, according to Governor Gavin Newsom’s office.

Three out-of-state suspects were arrested in connection with these operations, which also uncovered two illegally possessed firearms, the office announced in a news release on Tuesday.

The first incident occurred on October 3 in Fresno County, where a canine unit alerted officers to narcotics hidden in a cooler. Upon inspection, authorities discovered 11 pounds of fentanyl concealed within packages of carne asada beef, valued at around $500,000. A resident of Washington State was arrested on felony charges of drug possession and transportation.

The next day, October 4, in Merced County, officers found two handguns and approximately 120,000 fentanyl-laced pills worth an estimated $1.2 million. Two additional residents from Washington State were arrested on multiple felony charges. “California is committed to the tough work of removing deadly and illegal drugs from our streets,” Governor Newsom stated. “I am proud of our CHP officers’ efforts to keep our community safe and hold drug dealers accountable.” Newsom noted that these busts are part of California’s initiative to tackle the fentanyl and opioid crisis.

His office highlighted initiatives aimed at doubling the number of service members who can intercept drug transports at checkpoints, launching a website to raise awareness about the dangers of opioids, and planning to hold the pharmaceutical industry accountable for their role in the crisis.

Since January, California’s National Guard Counterdrug Task Force has seized over 500,000 pounds of fentanyl powder and 9.6 million fentanyl pills, with a total value exceeding $43 million, according to the state.