Feds In Connecticut Warn Of Fentanyl-Laced Pain Pills

NORTH -CENTRAL CT — Federal authorities in Connecticut, along with the federal Drug Enforcement Administration sent out an alert Monday regarding counterfeit prescription pain pills laced with deadly fentanyl that have emerged on the streets.

"Dangerous counterfeit pills are killing Americans," DEA officials said in the alert. "Mexican drug cartels are manufacturing mass quantities of counterfeit prescription pills containing fentanyl, a dangerous synthetic opioid that is lethal in minute doses, for distribution throughout North America."

Based on a sampling of tablets seized nationwide between January and March, the DEA found that
27 percent contained potentially lethal doses of fentanyl.

"Capitalizing on the opioid epidemic and prescription drug abuse in the United States, drug trafficking organizations are now sending counterfeit pills made with fentanyl in bulk to the United States for distribution," DEA Acting Administrator Uttam Dhillon said. "Counterfeit pills that contain fentanyl and fentanyl-laced heroin are responsible for thousands of opioid-related deaths in the United States each year."

Fentanyl and other highly potent synthetic opioids remain the "primary driver" behind the ongoing opioid crisis, with fentanyl involved in more deaths than any other illicit drug, authorities said.

"Buying drugs from street dealers is deadly especially when fentanyl is disguised as a real
pharmaceutical," said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle. "The DEA and our local, state
and federal law enforcement partners stand committed to taking deadly fentanyl off the streets of New England and ensuring those who manufacture and traffic these lethal pills are held accountable to the communities and families they damage with this poison.”

A lethal dose of fentanyl is estimated to be about 2 milligrams, but can vary based on an individual’s body size, tolerance, amount of previous usage and other factors, according to authorities.

The full Fentanyl Signature Profiling Program Report on the recent drug sampling and testing is available here.