A Cleveland man will spend more than 17 years in federal prison for operating a large-scale drug trafficking ring that mass-produced fentanyl pills for distribution across Ohio.

According to federal prosecutors, Thomas Taylor, 43, led an operation that used pill-pressing equipment in multiple homes to manufacture hundreds of thousands of fentanyl pills each day. Investigators say Taylor sourced ingredients from Mexico and recruited others to help with production.

During the investigation, agents seized more than 3 kilograms of fentanyl, an amount with the potential to kill more than 1.5 million people, along with methamphetamine, cocaine, firearms, cash and packaging materials.

Taylor pleaded guilty to drug trafficking, firearm and conspiracy charges. U.S. District Judge Donald Nugent sentenced him to 210 months in prison, followed by 10 years of supervision and $10,000 in fines.

Co-defendant Noreece Young is already serving a 15-year sentence for his role in the operation.

The case was investigated by the FBI Cleveland Division and the Southeast Area Law Enforcement Narcotics Task Force.