Synthetic Opioid 50X Stronger Than Fentanyl Found in Florida

Synthetic Opioid 50X Stronger Than Fentanyl Found in Florida

Introduction

Police in Palm Beach County have discovered N-Desethyl Isotonitazene (ISO), a synthetic opioid up to 50 times more potent than fentanyl.

This is only the second time ISO has been detected in the United States, with the first detection in Philadelphia in December 2022, according to the West Palm Beach Police Department.

The discovery was made by the police's Organized Crime Unit, which seized 20 kilograms of ISO while executing a search warrant on a house and storage unit in Palm Beach County. This seizure, estimated to be worth $1.6 million, resulted from a tip received in February and led to the arrest of one individual, whose identity has not been disclosed. Alongside the drugs, several guns and ammunition were also confiscated.

The arrested trafficker was distributing ISO in forms resembling other narcotics, such as OxyContin and Percocet. Police have highlighted the extreme potency of ISO, which can be 40 to 50 times stronger than pharmacy-grade fentanyl.

This discovery comes amidst a severe fentanyl crisis in the U.S. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported an estimated 107,543 drug overdose deaths last year, with synthetic opioids like fentanyl responsible for 70 percent of these fatalities.

The presence of ISO in Palm Beach County adds a new layer of complexity to the ongoing opioid crisis. The extreme potency and mimicry of other drugs make it particularly dangerous, underscoring the need for heightened awareness and preventive measures to combat this emerging threat.