The Northern Colorado Drug Task Force has discovered that illicit narcotics being sold in Northern Colorado may be mixed with carfentanil, an opioid 5,000 times as strong as a unit of heroin.

The apparent overdose death of Fort Collins resident Trenton Graves, discovered May 28, sparked an investigation from the Fort Collins Police Services and NCDTF, according to a press release from the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office.

On June 8, FCPS arrested Pearce Christian Bremerkamp of Fort Collins for Manslaughter, a Class 4 Felony. Bremerkamp is accused of supplying the illicit drugs to Graves which led to the latter’s death, according to the release. 

During this investigation, NCDTF discovered the possibility there is carfentanil mixed with illicit narcotics being sold in Northern Colorado.

Carfentanil is one of the most potent opioids known and used commercially, according to PubChem, a database maintained by the National Institutes of Health.

It is a derivative of the popular synthetic opioid analgesic fentanyl, except about 100 times stronger, making it 10,000 times stronger than morphine. Its potency makes it suited for large animals only, as a single microgram will start action in a human body.

This investigation is still ongoing, according to the press release, and no additional information will be released at this time.

The NCDTF asks anyone with information regarding this incident or the sale of illegal narcotics to call their tip line at 970-416-2560.

Collegian reporter Samantha Ye can be reached at news@collegian.com or on Twitter @samxye4.