Humboldt County has seen a significant increase in illegal cases of distribution, possession and overdose of fentanyl, including an alarming number of deaths from overdose.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid and a Schedule II anesthetic that is about 100 times stronger than morphine and 50 times stronger than heroin. Fentanyl is often added to heroin and other drugs to increase their potency and can cause accidental overdose.
Effective April 14, 2021, the Humboldt County coroner’s office received confirmation of eight deaths from a fentanyl overdose in the country, six of which occurred in March alone. Several deaths for overdose remain pending receipt of toxicological reports, with more fentanyl cases.
In addition, the Humboldt County Drug Task Agency seized more than 187 grams of Fentanyl and approximately 5002 Fentanyl pills in 2021 alone. By comparison, agents seized just 3 grams of Fentanyl in 2020 and three Fentanyl patches in 2019.
“What we are currently seeing are products that contain larger doses of fentanyl, especially in pill form,” said Lieutenant Shawn Sopoaga, commander of the Humboldt County Drug Task Force. “Fentanyl is transported to Humboldt County in raw form and used by dealers as a cutting tool to produce more products.”
Image: DEA.
According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, a lethal dose of fentanyl consists of two milligrams, equal to a few grains of salt. According to the DEA’s Fentanyl Signature Profiling program, 26 percent of the illegal fentanyl pills investigated in 2019 contained potentially lethal doses of fentanyl. It can be difficult to distinguish fake pills from legal drugs and is often marketed as M30s, Perc30s, Blues or Mexican Oxy.
Fentanyl can also be absorbed through the skin and accidentally the powder can be inhaled into the air. Due to the increasing threat of exposure to Fentanyl, the sheriff’s deputies in Humboldt County are equipped with Narcan, a nasal spray designed to quickly prevent overdose of opioids. In California, residents can buy NARCAN® Nasal Spray without a prescription, directly from a pharmacist, and those locally struggling with addiction are strongly encouraged to wear Narcan in the event of an overdose emergency.
‘One of my biggest concerns is that our teens and young adults are taking pills at these retailers cut with fentanyl. The chances of overdose are very high, “said Humboldt County Sheriff William Honsal. “We work with our state and federal law enforcement partners to hold responsible those who push fentanyl in our community.”
Anyone with information regarding crimes related to drugs is encouraged to call the Humboldt County Drug Task Force at 707-267-9976 or the Sheriff’s Crime Line at Humboldt County at (707) 268-2539.