DEA’s Phoenix office targeting dealers of powerful opioid ‘pink’
Three deaths in Maricopa County have been linked to a powerful synthetic opioid that can kill if even touched by someone.
(AP Photo)
(AP Photo)
PHOENIX — Three deaths in Maricopa County have been linked to a powerful synthetic opioid that can kill if even touched by someone.
The Phoenix branch of the Drug Enforcement Administration said three men fatally overdosed on “Pink,” or U-47700.
One, a 55-year-old from Phoenix, complained of back pain before he was found dead in his bedroom. Another was a 25-year-old Mesa man with a history of drug use. The third was a 24-year-old Phoenix man with a history of drug use. He had also overdosed once before.
The deaths came between April and August of last year.
“The discovery of the U-47700 in Maricopa County is a great concern for DEA, law enforcement and the community as the threat of opioid abuse continues to evolve,” Doug Coleman, special agent in charge of DEA in Arizona, said.
“The DEA’s HEAT program will target those dealers who directly supplied these lethal substances to the overdose victims.”
The DEA said agents with Phoenix’s HEAT Initiative learned of the deaths after a meeting with the Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office.
“Pink” is sold online and is 10 times more powerful than heroin.
It can kill someone if that person handles as little as one ounce.
The drug was developed as a morphine alternative, but was never approved for medical use.
Related
New app helps Arizona ESA families check purchases, avoid fraud accusations
Extreme heat warning issued for Phoenix, highs up to 113 expected
SAFE Alert issued for missing 21-year-old man last seen in Glendale
Luxury homebuilder expands to Arizona, projects over 100 homes a year in Scottsdale market
Lake Powell hits record low, threatening key water and electricity supply for millions
Weekend wrap: Here are the biggest Arizona news stories from Aug. 14-16
Comments
1 Comments
This is great on crack down . I have been on prescribed pain meds for almost 16 years. I have been on as most as 360 30 mg oxycodone and thanks to current pain clinic I am down to 120 per month. I come from Boston and family of drinkers. Moved to AZ at age 23 and have never drank or did drugs instead took up kick boxing and skydiving. Yes getting high is a blast but you will never know a real high unless u are sober. I wish that AZ and other states would look at people using pot are now assets to law enforcement and can help get dangerous drug and dealers off the streets. These people who died were murdered for the love of money. The person that sold these illegal pills, powders, and whatever else that ruins family's and takes lives should be charged with murder no different than putting gun to there head and pulling trigger. If you use weed please turn in anyone trying to sell you anything but weed. They are not your friends!!!! It could be your loved one falling into clutches of dangerous drugs. I am not a cop but I am a dad we as human beings need to help get this crap off streets. l so believe alcohol above 12% should be illegal as well also kills people and ruins family's no different than drugs. So for our children please report any and all dangerous drugs being sold by your weed hook up. He may treat you like friend but wants to get hooks into you and or family, wife or kids and then they are gone. If your a drug dealer take a good look in mirror and tell me what you see. Think about lives your stealing!! or people may be dead or brain dead because of you. The excuse that they will get it from someone than let them and become true friend.