NJ Law Enforcement Trying to Stop Spread of Fentanyl Knock-Offs
New Jersey law enforcement is struggling to combat a serious drug epidemic that is only getting worse now that drug dealers are distributing narcotics like fentanyl and fentanyl knock-offs.
Fentanyl is a prescription opioid that is used as a painkiller by individuals recovering from surgery or dealing with chronic illnesses. The prescription drug is extremely powerful and can lead to fatal overdoses, particularly when the user does not realize that they are taking fentanyl. In fact, medical officials have said that fentanyl can be up to 50 times stronger than heroin, while the US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has called fentanyl a “crazy dangerous” drug that poses significant health risks.
Fentanyl can be obtained legally through a physician’s prescription, but the drug has also become popular on the black market. Moreover, many drug dealers are distributing fentanyl knock-offs that have been produced in Mexico, China, and other foreign countries and smuggled into the U.S.
In recent months, fentanyl abuse and addiction have become major problems New Jersey, with police departments throughout the state finding large stashes of fentanyl during drug raids and seizures.
The Garden State has reportedly become one of the front lines for law enforcement’s fight to stop the spread of fentanyl throughout the country. Last month, NJ officials even went so far as to issue an emergency order that bans fentanyl “knock-offs” – drugs that have been altered in order to evade existing laws prohibiting the illegal distribution of prescription drugs like fentanyl. The emergency order specifically prohibits seven different knock-offs of fentanyl that have been found by NJ police, according to Steve Lee, the director of the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs. Moreover, said Lee, NJ lawmakers will be banning more fentanyl knock-offs going forward as they appear on the black market.
For additional information, read the NJ.com article, “Here’s How N.J. Is Cracking Down on ‘Knock-Offs’ of a Killer Opiate.”
If you have been arrested and charged with a drug crime like prescription drug possession or heroin possession in New Jersey, it is crucial that you talk to a qualified criminal defense attorney. The skilled criminal defense lawyers at the Law Offices of John W. Tumelty are ready to defend you against your drug offense charges and help you avoid the most severe criminal penalties. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
