California seizes enough fentanyl in San Francisco to kill nearly 3 times city's population

California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced this week the California Highway Patrol seized enough fentanyl in San Francisco during the past six weeks to kill more than 2 million people, or nearly three times the city’s population.

Since May 1, when Newsom launched a public safety partnership between the city and state, troopers have snatched more than 9.25 pounds of fentanyl from the Tenderloin neighborhood and areas immediately surrounding in San Francisco − enough to potentially kill at least 2 million people, according to a press release from Newsom’s office.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration considers a lethal dose of fentanyl to be 2 milligrams. One kilogram can potentially kill about 500,000 people.

Fentanyl has no taste or smell, so without testing, there’s no way to tell it’s been used as an additive. The drug has become one of the leading causes of death for Americans ages 18-45.

The Drug Enforcement Administration estimates 6 out of 10 fake prescription pills today are laced with fentanyl.