Twelve hospitalised after powdered fentanyl found for first time in NZ stuff.co.nz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from stuff.co.nz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Twelve people have been hospitalized, with some in serious condition, as New Zealand police investigate the discovery of powdered fentanyl which was sold as cocaine or methamphetamine.
A dozen people have been hospitalised due to suspected fentanyl overdoses, all in the Wairarapa region.
All of the 12 had symptoms of an opioid overdose, and some of them were in serious condition.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid much more potent than morphine and is rare in New Zealand's underground drug market.
Detective Inspector Blair Macdonald is the manager of the National Drug Intelligence Bureau and spoke to Morning Report.
The new drug arriving at our borders posing a significant risk stuff.co.nz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from stuff.co.nz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.