PAINESVILLE, Ohio — Two counties in Northeast Ohio are warning about a drug resurfacing on the streets.
The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner issued a warning about a significant increase in the seizure of the drug carfentanil last month.
Lake County is now sounding the alarm.
“Carfentanil was dormant for some time in 2018, we didn’t see any cases in December then suddenly in January and February we had a spike,” said Douglas Rohde with the Lake County Crime Laboratory.
Lake County saw 17 carfentanil cases come into the crime lab in all of 2018.
So far in 2019, they’ve already seen the same number.
Drug Enforcement Agents first saw carfentanil in July 2016.
There was a decrease after a crackdown on foreign countries that sell the illicit opioid to people in the United States.
"We’re seeing more of it,” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the DEA, Keith Martin.
Fred DiMarco’s son died of a heroin overdose four years ago.
He’s now made it his mission to educate others about opioids.
“If we can save one life, it’s worth the effort,” said DiMarco.
RELATED: Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office warns of increase in carfentanil cases
