Federal agents are warning the public about a dangerous resurgence of carfentanil — a powerful synthetic opioid originally designed to sedate elephants — that’s now being found in pills and powders across southeast Michigan.
Carfentanil is not meant for human use, yet drug dealers are mixing it into counterfeit pills and street drugs, often unknowingly. “People think they’re buying something like Percocet or Xanax, but they’re actually getting fake pills laced with fentanyl or carfentanil,” Brian McNeal, Public Information Officer for the DEA Detroit Field Division.
The DEA says it recently seized 12.4 kilograms of carfentanil in Detroit — one of the largest busts in the agency’s history.
Officials say most of it is being found in tablet or pill form.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services recently reported 11 carfentanil-related deaths across the state, with most of the cases concentrated in southeast Michigan.
The DEA also stressed that overdose reversal drugs like Narcan may not be effective on their own. Carfentanil overdoses often require multiple doses of Narcan — and even then, survival is not guaranteed.
During the interview, DEA Public Information Officer Brian McNeal used a small sweetener packet to demonstrate just how potent carfentanil is—explaining that even a few granules, an amount smaller than what’s inside the packet, can be deadly.
“Carfentanil is not just dangerous. It’s deadly — and it’s back,” McNeal said.
If you or someone you know is struggling with opioid use, help is available. Call the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
Watch full interview above.
