Fentanyl, Synthetics, Sold as Counterfeits in Deadly Trend

In March and April, 56 people in the Sacramento area were hospitalized after taking Norco brand hydrocodone pills. Fifteen died.

But, as we discovered, these pills were not pharmaceutical hydrocodone at all. They were counterfeits containing fentanyl that were purchased on the street. Fentanyl is an opioid far more powerful than hydrocodone. Counterfeit pills containing fentanyl were also found in Prince's home.

While fentanyl made by pharmaceutical companies is sometimes diverted to the black market, since 2013 the distribution of illicitly manufactured fentanyl has risen to unprecedented levels.