Green fentanyl has made its way to SWLA, Calcasieu Sheriff says

LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) - For years, we’ve relayed warnings about fentanyl and the risks associated with the drug, but dealers are putting a new spin on it - green fentanyl.

The dark green drug is making headlines across the country. It poses a significant threat to public health and safety.

Some major cities, like New Orleans, have even issued public safety alerts.

Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Stitch Guillory says the threat has made it to Southwest Louisiana.

“We’ve seen some green colored fentanyl here,” Guillory said.

The Drug Enforcement Administration says 230 Americans die from drug overdoses each day in the United States, with synthetic opioids like fentanyl responsible for 60% of those deaths.

The biggest issue is that street dealers are now mixing horse tranquilizers into fentanyl.

“The new thing with the fentanyl is that they mix it with the harsh tranquilizer drug called xylene. That seems to be the newest craze of drugs that people out there on the street are really gravitating to,” Guillory said.

Not only is it very addictive like regular fentanyl, but Guillory also says it’s difficult to revive people with Narcan when they use this drug due to the strength of horse tranquilizers.

“When you mix fentanyl with the xylazine, the Narcan is of no use to you. A lot of people have had their lives saved when they take fentanyl, they get hit with Narcan, and it brings them back. Well, if it’s mixed with this horse tranquilizer, it neutralizes the Narcan,” Guillory said.

Another major issue law enforcement is seeing with this drug is that every batch they take off the street is modified differently.

“Every time we’ve encountered fentanyl. It has different mixtures, different potencies, because they use those cutting ages to try to make more of the products so that they can sell more,” Guillory said.

Law enforcement is asking for the public’s help to try to put a stop to the distribution of this drug. If you see something, say something.