First U.S. Criminal Case Linked to Protonitazene Overdose Death

The U.S. Department of Justice's Los Angeles office has filed charges in what could be the nation's first criminal case involving a synthetic opioid, protonitazene, resulting in a death. Prosecutors say protonitazene is up to three times more potent than fentanyl.

Federal prosecutors have charged 21-year-old Benjamin Anthony Collins with distributing protonitazene resulting in death. Collins allegedly sold the pills to a 22-year-old man on April 19, 2024. The man died shortly after taking the drugs in his car, with his body discovered by his mother parked outside their home. If convicted, Collins faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years, with the potential for life in prison.

What is Protonitazene?

Protonitazene, a novel opioid introduced into the illicit drug market before May 2021, is estimated to be 150 times more potent than heroin. While fentanyl is already 50 times stronger than heroin, protonitazene's increased potency has raised significant concerns regarding its dangers. The Justice Department believes this is the first criminal case in the U.S. involving a death linked to protonitazene.

Opioid Overdose Deaths in the U.S.

Despite a slight drop in opioid overdose deaths in the U.S., fatalities remain high. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports 75,091 opioid overdose deaths for the year ending in April 2024. While this marks the lowest number in three years, the figures remain well above pre-pandemic levels, when fewer than 50,000 fatal overdoses occurred annually. In 2023, the U.S. reached over 86,000 estimated annual overdose deaths.

The rise of potent opioids like protonitazene is a concerning development in the nation's ongoing struggle with the opioid epidemic.

Source: CBS News