The word fentanyl has grown exponentially in notoriety in recent years. It is a word that is surrounded by infamy, known for robbing users of their lives, some tragically without even knowing that they are taking it. As this issue persists, law enforcement is doing everything it can to stop these sales before they even have it. This has led to 12 individuals from the Chicago area being arrested and charged with supplying and distributing fentanyl-laced drugs. Learn what happened and the dangers of these substances with Banyan Treatment Centers Chicago.
A Look at What Happened
Twelve people from two separate drug trafficking organizations have been charged for their alleged involvement in distributing and selling fentanyl-laced substances, including heroin and cocaine, on Chicago's South Side. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Illinois claims that some defendants also attempted to ship these unlawful substances to Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Ohio. Significant items were seized as a result of the investigation, including a custom-built motorcycle, cocaine, heroin, approximately $400,000 in alleged illegal financial profits, and high-end Mercedes and Bentley vehicles.
The operation, a component of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), attempts to locate, disrupt, and break up criminal groups engaged in the drug trade. Notably, while involved in narcotics trafficking, one of the defendants was discovered to be in possession of a loaded semi-automatic weapon.
Ronald Johnson, who has been accused of being a "large-scale supplier" of various drugs, and Sulstine Brown Robinson, who was apprehended bringing about seven kilograms of suspected cocaine from Chicago to Wisconsin, are two people connected to the case. The multi-year investigation was carried out by the FBI Chicago, and it resulted in the arrests and prosecution of people who were allegedly in charge of drug distribution.
Why Are Drugs Laced With Fentanyl?
The sale of drugs laced with fentanyl has grown alarmingly popular in the underground drug trade. Due to the drug's intense potency, dealers can produce more doses using less substance and stretch their supplies further. This implies that the strength of other narcotics like cocaine, heroin, or fake prescription pills can be considerably increased by a small amount of fentanyl added to them. This increased potency may attract certain drug users looking for a stronger high.
Aside from the enhanced effects on users, additional factors contribute to the predominance of fentanyl-laced drugs on the black market. The increased profit margins for drug dealers are a big contributing element. Fentanyl is an appealing supplement for individuals looking to maximize their revenue because it is very cheap to make compared to other medicines. Drug dealers may greatly boost their profits by adding fentanyl to their products, but this sadly comes at a significant cost to the health and safety of drug users.
Due to their heightened potency, some drug users could unintentionally seek out drugs that include fentanyl. Unaware of the increased risk of overdose, someone using cocaine laced with fentanyl could anticipate a more powerful and pleasurable experience. Fentanyl is an extremely strong opioid that can quickly depress the respiratory system, creating potentially fatal conditions. As a result, an overdose can have devastating effects.
Symptoms of a fentanyl overdose can include:
- Blue or purple tint to lips, fingernails, or skin (cyanosis)
- Extreme drowsiness and confusion
- Loss of consciousness or coma
- Pinpoint pupils (pupils that appear very small)
- Slurred speech and difficulty staying awake
- Slow, shallow breathing or difficulty breathing
- Slow heartbeat and low blood pressure
- Unresponsiveness or inability to wake up
Drug users must be aware of the possible risks posed by fentanyl-laced substances and should seek medical attention or support services if they believe someone they know has overdosed on opioids like fentanyl.
Heal From Addiction at Our Chicago Drug Rehab
For those in need of life-changing Illinois addiction treatment, Banyan’s drug rehab in Chicago offers a variety of programs that can help. We believe in treating all aspects of addiction that a person may struggle with, all while acting as a steady support system for our patients to lean on. We place a great emphasis on therapy programs that allow patients to explore their disease with the guidance of a trained clinical professional.
Call our Chicago addiction treatment center at 888-280-4763 to learn which of our programs is best suited to you or your loved ones' needs.
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