GBI Identifies Two New Variations of Fentanyl

MJ Kneiser

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Crime Lab in Cleveland, GA has identified two new variations of the drug, fentanyl that they say are extremely dangerous.

The drugs are identified as acryl-fentanyl and tetra-hydro-furan fentanyl, neither of which had previously been identified by the GBI Crime Lab.

GBI Spokesperson Nelly Miles tells WNEG News that both fentanyl strains are considered highly dangerous because they can be absorbed through the skin.

Miles said the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office submitted forensic drug evidence containing these two drugs to the crime lab in March of this year.

Acrylfentanyl had been on the GBI’s watch list for the past few months, according to Miles.

To complicate matters, Miles said a drug used to reverse the effects of fentanyl, may not be effective if someone overdosed after ingesting acryl-fentanyl.

Legislation was introduced this year to outlaw acrylfentanyl in Georgia.

The law banning the substance went into effect after passage by the Georgia General Assembly and the Governor’s signature on April 17, 2017.

At this time, one of the newly discovered strains, tetrahydrofuran fentanyl, is not covered under GA law.

It is unknown how the human body will react to both drugs since they are not intended for human or veterinary use.