Carfentanil, 100x Stronger Than Fentanyl Found in Norwalk Overdose

NORWALK, CT — A drug that is used as an elephant tranquilizer and is 10,000 times stronger than morphine was found in the system of a fatal Norwalk overdose victim in April.

The victim had carfentanil, fentanyl, other opioids and an anxiety medication in his system, according to the Connecticut Post.

Carfentanil is 100 times stronger than fentanyl, which itself is 50 time stronger than heroin, according to the Drug Enforcement Agency. The exact lethal range for carfentanil is unknown, but fentanyl can be lethal in the 2-milligram range. It is a Schedule II substance

“We see it on the streets, often disguised as heroin. It is crazy dangerous," said Acting DEA Administrator Chuck Rosenberg. "Synthetics such as fentanyl and carfentanil can kill you. I hope our first responders – and the public – will read and heed our health and safety warning. These men and women have remarkably difficult jobs and we need them to be well and healthy.”