Suffolk County unveiled a new tool that can find the smallest traces of fentanyl molecules. That’s a synthetic opioid 50 times more powerful than heroin.
The advanced mass spectrometer is a refrigerator-sized testing kit that can analyze drug samples and figure out exactly what chemicals are in those samples.
District Attorney Tim Sini says the device will help prosecute cases against drug dealers who change drug recipes to avoid detection. He says law enforcement often don’t have the technology to detect specific chemicals, also known as precursors, that are the building blocks of fentanyl.
“Oftentimes you see a very small amount of precursor, for example, in a package of drugs. And without the appropriate technology, we cannot prosecute that case.”
Sini says it’s is one of two advanced spectrometers in New York State.
The equipment costs $400,000 and was paid for with money that was seized from drug dealers by multiple law enforcement agencies.
