DRUG WARNING

It has come to the attention of AADANT there was a small amount of Metonitazene seized from a Northern Territory man in the Palmerston area. Metonitazene is a novel synthetic opioid (NSO) which are a leading contributor to overdose deaths world-wide.

The Victorian Department of Health has seen incidents of metonitazene sold as cocaine.

Respiratory depression often appears more quickly with novel synthetic opioids (NSOs), increasing the risk of life-threatening overdose.

Metonitazene is a potent NSO that is not often seen in Australia. Its potency is similar to fentanyl, estimated to be between 30 and 200 times that of morphine. This means it can produce life-threatening toxic effects in very small amounts. Metonitazene usually appears as a white, off-white or beige powder.

Files from the Australian Federal Police media release: 

Australian Border Force Acting Commander Ian Kelly said there had been an increase in detections of metonitazene coming into Australia through the international mail system.

“ABF officers have recorded 22 detections of this highly dangerous substance in October, compared to just two detections in the nine months previous to that,” A/g Commander Kelly said.