The California Highway Patrol may best be known for freeway chases and the Hollywood glamour of its motorcycle cops in television shows like “ChiPs.” But now the storied agency is patrolling the streets of San Francisco’s Tenderloin as part of a multiagency effort to crack down on rampant drug dealing that’s decimating the 50-square-block area.

On one day recently, CNN watched as task force members arrested a suspected drug dealer accused of selling meth and fentanyl. Inside a plastic bag: 33 grams of fentanyl that CHP officer Andy Barclay estimates, at its worst, could potentially kill thousands of people.

“We’re looking at around 16,500 fatal doses of pure fentanyl in that small bag. Yes, 16,500 people could potentially die,” Barclay said.

  • @[email protected]
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    31 year ago

    The only way anyone could possibly take a gram of “fentanyl” in a day is if it’s extremely dilute, which it would be if it’s being sold on the street. The police’s estimate of 33g being equal to 16,000+ fatal doses is most likely assuming it’s pure fentanyl, and there’s no way the police honestly belive its pure.

    • Franzia
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      11 year ago

      The police believe if they breathe it in or touch it they need the emergency room.