Cychlophorine synthetic opioid detected in US and international markets

A powerful synthetic opioid known as cychlophorine is appearing on streets across the United States and internationally. Originally synthesized by Janssen Pharmaceuticals in 1967 for potential use in treating severe pain such as bone cancer, the drug was never approved or marketed for public use.

Authorities have detected the substance in 19 US cities and 10 counties. Recent reports link the drug to the death of a 16-year-old in San Francisco. In a related investigation, law enforcement arrested four drug dealers and seized approximately 20,000 counterfeit pills that had been stamped with various medication logos.

Beyond the US, the drug has been identified in Toronto, Montreal, and London. Investigators believe international drug cartels are using decades-old research data to replicate the substance, utilizing modern manufacturing and pill-pressing technology to produce and smuggle the narcotic.