Long Island, NY – In a groundbreaking drug bust, authorities discovered a deadly new synthetic opioid that is 100 times stronger than fentanyl during a narcotics raid in Hicksville, Long Island. The seizure marks the first time this potent nitazene compound has been found in the Northeast, raising alarming concerns about its presence on local streets.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has issued a stark warning about this emerging, Narcan-resistant opioid variant fueling a surge of overdose deaths nationwide. The raid on August 5 led to the arrest of Anthony Gianatiempo, 34, and the confiscation of not only the new nitazene-laced counterfeit pills but also an extensive cache of other dangerous substances and explosives.
The Alarming Discovery of a New Synthetic Opioid
DEA Special Agent Frank Tarentino described the new nitazene as an unprecedented threat, stating,
“It’s alarming. We haven’t come across this compound anywhere in the entire Northeast.”
Gianatiempo’s home raid yielded a pack of counterfeit oxycodone “M30” pills mixed with this powerful compound, posing an unprecedented risk due to its extreme potency and resistance to reversal drugs like Narcan.
In addition to the groundbreaking nitazene discovery, the agents seized:
- 59 fentanyl pills
- 47 pressed methamphetamine tablets
- 10 vials of liquid fentanyl
- 750 grams of fentanyl powder
- 190 grams of cocaine
- 200 grams of methamphetamine
Origins and Trafficking of the Deadly Drug
Officials believe the new nitazene pills did not simply appear in the local market but were introduced through complex criminal networks. According to Agent Tarentino,
“This didn’t just magically appear in a Hicksville home — it was trafficked here by criminal networks.”
He added that either major cartels like the Sinaloa or Jalisco New Generation Cartel smuggled the drugs into the U.S. from Mexico, or that the pills were pressed domestically from raw powders allegedly exported from China-based criminal groups.
This development signals a troubling evolution in the opioid crisis, highlighting the increasing sophistication and danger of synthetic opioids being circulated in American communities.
Additional Threats: Weapons and Explosives Seized
The severity of the raid extended beyond narcotics, with agents uncovering a significant arsenal of explosives at Gianatiempo’s residence, including:
- Five suspected bombs
- More than 30 pounds of smokeless gunpowder
The discovery of these explosives alongside the dangerous array of drugs underscores the multifaceted nature of criminal activities linked to drug trafficking networks.
Read Also: Bay Area Drug Bust Nets 500 Pounds of Methamphetamine, Two Arrested in Major Sonoma County Seizure
Legal Proceedings and Ongoing Concerns
Anthony Gianatiempo was arraigned on August 6 in First District Court in Hempstead, facing multiple charges including narcotics, weapons, and explosives offenses. Gianatiempo has pleaded not guilty and remains detained without bail.
As authorities continue to investigate the presence and distribution of this deadly new opioid, they urge increased vigilance and awareness within affected communities.
For more detailed information, visit the original report by the New York Post: here.
What Does This Mean for the Community?
The emergence of nitazene in the Northeast signals an urgent need for:
- Enhanced law enforcement efforts to dismantle trafficking networks.
- Public education on the dangers of synthetic opioids and counterfeit pills.
- Expanded availability of addiction treatment and overdose intervention resources.
- Investment in research for new antidotes given nitazene’s resistance to Narcan.
What do you think about this discovery? Have you or someone you know been affected by synthetic opioids like fentanyl or nitazene? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!