September 23, 2025 – The El Paso County Coroner’s Office is warning the community after detecting carfentanil, a powerful synthetic opioid, in a recent case. This is the first known instance of carfentanil being identified locally without the presence of fentanyl.
Carfentanil is approximately 100 times stronger than fentanyl and 10,000 times stronger than morphine. The drug has recently reemerged on the illicit market, and because of its structural differences from fentanyl, it does not react with most immunoassays or fentanyl test strips. This can produce a “false negative” result if fentanyl is not present. Only when fentanyl appears alongside carfentanil would test strips show a positive result.
This poses a serious risk to the community. Awareness is critical for responding and testing personnel (hospitals, correctional facilities, law enforcement), for those trying to avoid fentanyl exposure, recreational users, and bystanders who may witness an overdose.
Carfentanil overdoses may go undetected, increasing danger. Symptoms mirror those of other opioids and include slowed or stopped breathing, snoring or gurgling sounds, pinpoint pupils, cold or clammy skin, drowsiness, disorientation, sedation, and unresponsiveness. Overdoses can be reversed with naloxone (Narcan®), though higher doses may be required.
The Coroner’s Office urges health providers, first responders, and the community to remain vigilant. The full Public Safety Alert is available in the attached PDF.