Oregon law enforcement found powdered fentanyl (“rainbow fentanyl”) and other drugs, in a Tuesday search of a Northeast Portland residence.
Multnomah County Sheriff’s deputies with their agency’s Special Investigative Unit searched the home of a suspect whose name they withheld.
“For investigative reasons, the suspect’s name is not being released at this time,” a department statement declared.
Sheriff Michael Reese could not be reached for comment because he is reportedly on vacation. The agency’s public affairs office did not immediately respond to an email request for comment Friday.
Deputies conducting the search found a new form of fentanyl they consider more dangerous and potent than pressed pills, according to the statement.
“At the suspect’s residence in Northeast Portland, deputies found body armor, $5,000 in cash, nine guns, some of which were modified and stolen, and drugs including meth, heroin, 800 pills of fentanyl and four grams of multi-colored, powdered fentanyl, often referred to as ‘rainbow fentanyl,'” the sheriff’s statement explained.
“The public needs to be aware of the rising use of powdered fentanyl,” declared IU Sergeant Matt Ferguson. “We believe this is going to be the new trend seen on the streets of Portland.”
Law enforcement expressed concern about children handling rainbow fentanyl because deputies fear children may mistake it for candy. Deputies further worry children or young adults may be inclined to try the extremely potent drug based on what they called its “playful coloring.”
The statement described the powdered fentanyl found during this search as resembling the color and consistency of sidewalk chalk.
Fentanyl is a manufactured opioid that is up to100 times stronger than morphine, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
More than 56,000 people in the U.S died from overdoses of synthetic opioids in 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned.
Scroll down to leave a comment and share your thoughts.
