Increased Presence of Potent Synthetic Cannabinoids

Please share this information with public safety personnel within your jurisdiction.

• Yale New Haven Hospital confirmed as many as 71 overdoses since Tuesday of this week were caused by synthetic marijuana.  Further media coverage of this issue can be found at: https://www.nhregister.com/news/article/Synthetic-marijuana-laced-with-fentanyl-confirmed-13159368.php

• The New York State Intelligence Center (NYSIC) provided the following information to law enforcement:

There has been a significant increase in the presence of potent synthetic cannabinoids (K2 Spice or cannabis substitutes) that has contributed to multiple overdose incidents in New York and surrounding states. 
NYSIC Note:

• In May 2018 approximately 56 subjects over several days overdosed in Brooklyn, NY found to be linked to a lethal batch of K2, and more than 70 people overdosed in New Haven, CT within a 24 hr. span on Tuesday August 14, 2018 on some form of K2, or synthetic marijuana.
• Laboratories in NYC, NJ, CT and PA have identified a potent synthetic cannabinoid linked to these incidents known as 5F-ADB that has dangerous adverse effects in humans. 
• In July 2018 NJ and PA experienced both fatal and non-fatal overdoses where a mixture of 5F-ADB, Fentanyl and heroin were identified in contents that led to those overdoses.

First responders are increasingly likely to encounter such substances as the presence in NY and surrounding states continues to rise. 

• New Jersey Regional Operations Intelligence Center shared the information below and attached bulletin regarding this issue:

Transmittal sent on 16 August 2018 at 1647
(U//FOUO) Multiple recent overdose events have involved 5F-ADB, a potent synthetic cannabinoid known for its dangerous adverse effects in humans. New Jersey has observed a significant increase in the presence of 5F-ADB in its drug environment. For more information, see the attached Intelligence Dissemination Report (IDR).
Distribution: DMI Working Group
Contributing Agencies: New Jersey State Police; New Jersey Office of Forensic Sciences (OFS), Drug Enforcement Agency Hartford, CT
ROIC#: ROIC201808-11120D
(U//FOUO) For Official Use Only (U//FOUO)

Dan Albert
Office of Counter Terrorism
NYS Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Services
1220 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12226
(518) 242-5078  | (518) 337-1971  | Daniel.Albert@dhses.ny.gov
www.dhses.ny.gov/oct/safeguardNY


Click here for the Increased Presence of Potent Synthetic Cannabinoid
Intelligence Dissemination Report