Deadly street drug resurfaces in Middle Georgia, only it looks different

A test of white counterfeit pills that are the suspected cause of at least eight recent overdoses in Middle Georgia revealed the same potentially deadly chemicals that were found in yellow pills during a larger outbreak of overdoses here in June.

The pills, round and slick, are disguised as Percocets, a prescription pain killer. One person reportedly overdosed on the pills in Macon this week. Seven others overdosed in Warner Robins and some of them are only breathing with the help of ventilators.

The GBI found that the pills contained cyclopropyl fentanyl, a new analogue of fentanyl, according to a Friday news release from the agency. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid about 100 times more potent than morphine.

The man-made drug is not for human or veterinary use, and its affects on the human body are unknown.

The GBI first encountered the drug in June, when about 20 people in Middle Georgia overdosed on yellow pills.

The pills are also the suspected cause of death for three people here between June 4-11.

No arrests have been made in connection with the the investigation, Bibb County sheriff’s Lt. Randy Gonzalez said.

In addition to cyclopropyl, the yellow pills also contained U-47700, a drug nearly nearly eight times stronger than morphine.

GBI spokeswoman Nelly Miles said Friday that the white pills also contained that chemical, but in trace amounts.

“It’s in there in smaller concentration,” GBI spokeswoman Nelly Miles told The Telegraph by phone. “This time it was weaker.”

The Georgia Department of Health is monitoring the situation and multiple law enforcement agencies are investigating.

Anyone with information about the origin of the pills is urged to call Macon Regional Crimestoppers at 1-877-68CRIME.

This story was originally published August 25, 2017 at 12:50 PM with the headline "Deadly street drug resurfaces in Middle Georgia, only it looks different."