'100 Times More Powerful Than Fentanyl': New Drug Discovered In Brockton, Quincy

BROCKTON, MA — Police say it's 100 times more powerful than fentanyl, which in turn is itself many more times potent than heroin, and now it's being found in Massachusetts.

State police confirmed Wednesday that carfentanil, a tranquilizer for large animals such as elephants, has been discovered in Quincy and Brockton. State police say in the past few weeks they've received two samples from Brockton and a third from transit police in Quincy. One sample was mixed with cocaine, and the others were purely carfentanil.

Police say the samples are the first to test positive for carfentanil in Massachusetts. New Hampshire has seen several deaths from the drug.

The drug brings a different level of danger compared to opioids, police said. A minimal amount of 2 milligrams can be lethal, and it can be absorbed through the skin via just casual contact or accidentally inhaled. Due to this, police and firefighters have to wear gloves and protective gear for their mouths and noses when dealing with the drug.

Symptoms of exposure include respiratory depression or arrest, drowsiness, disorientation, sedation, pinpoint pupils and clammy skin. The onset of these symptoms usually occur within minutes of exposure.

During a press conference Wednesday announcing a massive Mexico-to- Massachusetts cocaine bust, Middlesex DA Marian Ryan said the bust is part of a trend showing cocaine becoming more popular because it can be cut with fentanyl and carfentanil.

Image via Massachusetts State Police