Arrival of killer fentanyl drug could cause 'significant rise' in overdose deaths

Fentanyl, estimated to be at least 50 times more powerful than heroin, has been at the forefront of the devastating opiate epidemic in the US. File picture: iStock

Ireland could see a “significant rise” in overdose deaths if the synthetic opiate, fentanyl, is introduced to the Irish market by criminal gangs, a drug expert has warned.

It follows revelations, as detailed on Monday by the Irish Examiner, that Irish and European drug bosses have travelled to South America to discuss the logistics of importing fentanyl into Europe and Ireland.