Crime & Safety

Carfentanil Kills Two More In Milwaukee

Carfentanil, a synthetic opiate which is 10,000 times stronger than morphine, has been linked to two more deaths.

MILWAUKEE, WI -- Carfentanil has claimed two more lives in the Milwaukee area, according to the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's office. The office noted that of 72 drug overdose deaths so far this year, 56 of them are related to opiates. The two deaths make for the third carfentanil-related death in two days.

The Medical Examiner office Tweeted on Tuesday morning that "Carfentanil has been ID'd in 2 more recent deaths in City of Milwaukee. Milwaukee on track to log more than 400 drug deaths this year."

Carfentanil, a drug used for tranquilizing elephants, is 10,000 times more powerful than morphine. It is so strong that .02 milligrams of the substance can kill a human. Fentanyl, recently painted as an extremely powerful opiate, is only 1% as strong as carfentanil.

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On Monday, just a day before, the Medical Examiner's office confirmed the first carfentanil related death in Wisconsin.

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