“Purple Fentanyl” Has Very Likely Reached The Upper Cumberland

A new purple fentanyl has very likely made its way to the Upper Cumberland.

The South Central Kentucky Drug Task Force has said that the fentanyl and methamphetamine combination has crossed state lines.

“I don’t have any personal knowledge of any seizures of purple fentanyl in Putnam County, but if it is that close to here, I would say there is a very very good chance that it is in Putnam County,” Power of Putnam Executive Director Bill Gibson said.

Gibson said the risk of the drug grows exponentially when combining substances. Gibson said he expects many more fentanyl variations to surface in the future.

“Historically when we refer to fentanyl, we talk about one substance everybody knows something about, but now, they’re altering the structure and there is going to be many variations coming,” Gibson said. “That starts us over at zero with any data or history on how it affects the human body.”

Gibson said “garage chemists” are alter the molecular makeup of the drug. Gibson said it is almost impossible to gauge just how deadly these new fentanyl variations will be.

Kentucky investigators say dealers are using I-65 and backroads from Nashville across Sumner and Robertson counties into Franklin, KY to the purple drug.

This month in Williamson County, a report said three deputies were exposed to the drug and transported to the emergency room. The officers only experienced minor symptoms and have resumed patrols.