GBI: Two new 'highly dangerous' varieties of fentanyl identified


              In this Aug. 9, 2016, photo, a bag of 4-fluoroisobutyrylfentanyl, which was seized in a drug raid, is displayed at the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Testing and Research Laboratory in Sterling, Va. A novel class of deadly drugs is exploding across the country, with many manufactured in China for export around the world. The drugs, synthetic opioids, are fueling the deadliest addiction crisis the U.S. has ever seen. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)
In this Aug. 9, 2016, photo, a bag of 4-fluoroisobutyrylfentanyl, which was seized in a drug raid, is displayed at the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Testing and Research Laboratory in Sterling, Va. A novel class of deadly drugs is exploding across the country, with many manufactured in China for export around the world. The drugs, synthetic opioids, are fueling the deadliest addiction crisis the U.S. has ever seen. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation's Crime Lab in Cleveland, Ga., has identified two new fentanyl analogues, acrylfentanyl and tetrahydrofuran fentanyl. Both those synthetic opioids had not previously been identified by the GBI Crime Lab. They both can be absorbed through the skin and are considered highly dangerous according to a Tuesday news release.

The Forsyth County Sheriff's Office submitted forensic drug evidence containing the two drugs to the crime lab in March. Acrylfentanyl had been on the GBI's watchlist for the past few months. Multiple reports in other states indicated that the opioid reversal drug, naloxone, may not be effective if someone overdosed after ingesting acrylfentanyl.

A new law went into effect in April outlawing acrylfentanyl in Georgia. Currently, tetrahydrofuran fentanyl is not covered under state law. It is unknown how the human body will react to both drugs, since they are not intended for human or veterinary use.

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