AMARILLO, Texas (KFDA) – Authorities say fentanyl has been impacting the Amarillo community for the past five years and continues to rise.

“We’ve really seen an increase in fentanyl in the last five years. In the past, deputies could go their entire careers without really dealing with it, and now it’s becoming very prevalent. It’s something they’re seeing more of in their careers,” said Sgt. Hillary Garcia, PIO, Randall County Sheriff’s Office.

Garcia said deputies make arrests for fentanyl every week.

“According to the DEA, the main source of the fentanyl rise in our country is fentanyl produced by Mexican cartels. “Not only does it circulate in major cities, but it is also found in smaller communities like the Texas Panhandle,” said Sgt. Cindy Barkley, PIO, Texas Department of Public Safety.

The powerful synthetic opioid is increasingly being found in traffic stops, drug seizures and overdoses.

“These pills are not produced in laboratories, they are produced through temporary operations, so you get inconsistent amounts of fentanyl in each pill. You might get a pill that contains 0.02 milligrams of fentanyl, a pill that contains 5.1 milligrams of fentanyl, and 2.0 milligrams is considered a lethal dose,” Garcia said. he said.

The laboratory at the Randall County Sheriff’s Office found that fentanyl was mixed with meth, cocaine and marijuana.

Officers want to warn the public that even a small amount of fentanyl can be fatal.

Contact us Randall County Sheriff’s Office Reporting any suspicious activity to help combat this growing crisis.

Garcia adds that Amarillo is often five to 10 years behind national trends on narcotics, and authorities are only seeing the beginnings of fentanyl.

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