San Diego DEA Dec 2019

2019-fa8551ff
UNCLASSIFIED//LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE
(U) Fentanyl Used in Vape Pens
(U) This DEA Bulletin is based on preliminary reporting and may be subject to updating as additional
information becomes available.
DEA-SAN-BUL-022-20
NOVEMBER 2019
(U) Event
(U//DSEN) On September 27, 2019, the Drug Enforcement Administration
(DEA) San Diego Field Division (SDFD) Overdose Response Team 10 was
contacted by local authorities regarding a suspected fentanyl overdose death.
The female roommate of the deceased told agents there was fentanyl and
possibly carfentanil located in their shared residence, as well as fentanyl-laced
"vape" tanks.
(U) Significance
(U//DSEN) While the presence of fentanyl powder (lethal in doses as small as
two milligrams) poses an enormous public safety threat, the presence of
fentanyl in the form of a gas poses a dire threat of unknown consequences.
(U//DSEN) The roommate of the deceased admitted to vaping fentanyl on a

regular basis, including at a recent public concert, which caused her to pass
out. The presence of fentanyl in public places illustrates a potentially lethal
threat to the general population of San Diego by inadvertent exposure to a drug
that is deadly in extremely small doses.
(U) Details
(U//DSEN) On September 27, 2019, SDFD Overdose Response Team 10 was
contacted by local authorities regarding a suspected fentanyl overdose death.
The deceased was a former U.S. Navy chemist who was, along with his
surviving roommate, also a fentanyl user. DEA agents searched the residence
and seized approximately five pounds of narcotic substances, to include
fentanyl powder and multiple fentanyl derivatives. Agents also seized vape
pens, syringes, a pill press (which tested presumptively positive for fentanyl),
and methamphetamine.
(U) LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE: The information marked (U//LES) in this document is
the property of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and may be distributed within the
federal government (and its contractors), U.S. intelligence, law enforcement, public safety or
protection officials, and individuals with a need to know. Distribution beyond these entities
without DEA authorization is prohibited. Precautions should be taken to ensure this information
is stored and/or destroyed in a manner that precludes unauthorized access. Information bearing
the LES caveat may not be used in legal proceedings without first receiving authorization from
the DEA. Recipients are prohibited from subsequently posting the information marked LES on a
website on an unclassified network without first obtaining DEA approval. Written requests for
approval may be sent via unclassified email to [email protected].
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2019-fa8551ff
(U//DSEN) The San Diego County Medical Examiner (SDCME) reported that this was the first
case they encountered involving the use of fentanyl in vape pens. The SDCME confirmed the
following substances were present in one of the seized vape pens: carfentanil, furanyl
fentanyl, cyclopropyl fentanyl, fentanyl, etizolam, and XLR-11 (a synthetic cannabinoid).
(U//DSEN) Health officials warn that the danger to the lungs from e-cigarettes, or vape pens,
is not only occurring in those actively vaping. A new report finds bystanders, inhaling
secondhand fumes, are at risk because a number of possibly hazardous chemicals are
released by e-cigarettes. "The majority of studies have concluded that passive exposure may
pose a health risk to bystanders, particularly vulnerable
populations such as children and teens." (as reported by ANALYST NOTE
the Center for Community-Based Research at the Dana- Historically, vape pens have
Farber Cancer Institute, Boston). been a common method for
cannabinoid users to inhale
(U//DSEN) While the opioid crisis has been at the center THC oils. Although this is
of media attention for several years, the consequences the first known case of vape
of vaping have only recently made the headlines. pens being used to ingest
During 2019, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) fentanyl, it may indicate a
reported that doctors have chronicled nearly 1,600 deadly trend for drug users
cases of patients who have contracted a mysterious whereby all manner of drugs
lung-related illness that is suspected to be related to may be placed into their
vaping. To date, there have been over 37 deaths vape pen cartridges.
attributed to this unknown illness. On October 31, 2019, (in
separate incidents) two high
(U//DSEN) The introduction of opioids into an epidemic school students in West
that is still a mystery to public health professionals will Virginia overdosed and were
only complicate their efforts to combat these crises. hospitalized as a result of
Additionally, there is an immediate threat to the public as vape pens laced with heroin.
more people may be willing to experiment with fentanyl-
laced vape mixtures at home, or an enhanced threat if fentanyl-laced vape mixtures are used
in public places.
U//DSEN: Information marked (U//DSEN) indicates DEA reporting at the Law Enforcement Sensitive (LES) level.
(U) This product was prepared by the DEA San Diego Field Division. Comments and questions may be addressed to
the Indicator Programs Section at: [email protected].
DFN-701-03—Destroy 2 years after issuance or when the Bulletin is superseded or obsolete.
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2019-fa8551ff

UNCLASSIFIED//LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE

(U) Fentanyl Used in Vape Pens

(U//DSEN) The roommate of the deceased admitted to vaping fentanyl on a

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