FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – After paramedics and police treated spring breakers who overdosed on cocaine laced with fentanyl Thursday evening, 7 people were taken to the hospital and 2 remain in critical condition.
Wilton Manors Police shared a public service announcement warning of the dangers of the synthetic opioid on social media.
It’s spring break season in @WiltonManorsCty! WMPD wants to warn spring breakers about the dangers of using illicit drugs & to avoid mixing drugs with alcohol or other forms of drugs. Protect yourself from the dangers of Fentanyl: https://t.co/cbSSQe4Bl1 https://t.co/pif08MxPa0
— wmpd411 (@WMPD411) March 11, 2022
In February, Local 10 spoke to the Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the Miami Field Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration about the potency of the drug, and how it is often found in counterfeit prescription pills.
”People are getting addicted to them and seeking them out. And it’s very lucrative for these drug traffickers,” said SAC Deanne Reuter.
DEA officials said they are also seeing fentanyl mixed with other substances such as methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin.
The most recent numbers from the Florida Medical Examiners’ Commission show Broward County leads the state in fentanyl deaths.
An official told Local 10 on Friday that the mixing of substances could be deliberate or a case of cross-contamination.
As for the laced powder that sickened spring breakers on Thursday, Wilton Manors police and the Broward Sheriff’s Office are working to track down where the drugs came from and are investigating what happened at the rental property.