Maryland prosecutors can be very aggressive when enforcing state statutes. It is standard practice to bring the most serious charges possible. A single arrest could result in multiple charges in some cases. People expecting to face a misdemeanor possession offense might find themselves facing felony drug charges due to the weight of the drugs, the type of drug in their possession or the state’s belief that their intention was to distribute those drugs to other people.
Certain drugs that have a reputation for being especially dangerous may result in particularly harsh charges and judges choosing to hand down the most extreme penalties they can justify. Individuals accused of possessing or distributing carfentanil might be at risk of particularly harsh punishments.
What do people need to know about carfentanil?
Fentanyl is a powerful drug that offers roughly 100 times the potency of morphine. It’s easy to understand why it has become one of the most dangerous and widely-abused drugs. It has also become a common adulterant used to make other drugs more potent.
Carfentanil is a fentanyl analog, meaning it is structurally similar to fentanyl. However, it is different in its astonishing potency. It is so strong, in fact, that it is mainly used as a veterinary drug for large animals, such as elephants. When distributed in a veterinary setting, carfentanil may be sold under the brand name Wildnil.
Carfentanil is 100 times as potent as fentanyl. That means it is 10,000 times as potent as morphine. A minuscule dose is enough to result in a fatal overdose in many cases. People have been able to manufacture this drug in sprays, patches, powders, tablets and blotter paper forms. People can potentially accidentally absorb the drug through their skin or through inhalation.
Currently, Maryland does not have specific statutes addressing carfentanil in particular. The state could use analog statutes, fentanyl rules and opioid regulations to pursue harsh charges against the person accused of possessing carfentanil. In cases involving the distribution of contaminated drugs, people might end up facing even more serious allegations if someone overdoses because of the presence of carfentanil in another substance.
Some people facing drug charges may not have even known that substances in their possession contained carfentanil. Yet, they could still face life-altering penalties if they do not respond to their pending drug charges appropriately. Ultimately, learning more about the substances that may prompt the strongest reactions from law enforcement and prosecutors can be beneficial for those accused of violating drug laws in Maryland.