Nearly two decades after drug addiction sent him to rehab as a teenager, 36-year-old Michael Nalewaja, who had settled into a quiet life in Alaska working as an electrician, faced a tragic end days before Thanksgiving 2025. He and a mutual friend unknowingly ingested a lethal cocktail of fentanyl and carfentanil they may have mistaken for cocaine, reports BritPanorama.
His mother, Kelley Nalewaja, recalled receiving a disturbing call from his wife: “I heard the word ‘autopsy’ and I literally just collapsed to the floor. Even if somebody had been there prepared with Narcan — even if somebody had called 911 in time — he was not going to survive.” Carfentanil, a substance described by authorities as 10,000 times more potent than morphine and 100 times stronger than fentanyl, has seen a resurgence in the U.S., contributing to hundreds of unexpected fatalities.
The resurgence is reportedly linked to a crackdown by the Chinese government on the sale of precursors used to manufacture fentanyl. This regulatory environment has led traffickers in Mexico to substitute carfentanil for fentanyl to enhance the potency of a less effective product, as indicated by intelligence bulletins from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
Despite a noted decline in overall drug overdose deaths and a decrease in fentanyl seizures, the rise of carfentanil presents a stark contrast. Frank Tarentino, the DEA’s chief of operations for the northeast region, stated, “You’re talking about not even a grain of salt that could be potentially lethal. This presents an extremely frightening proposition for substance abuse dependent people who seek opioids on the street today.”
Carfentanil surge
A decade ago, carfentanil made a drastic entrance into the North American drug scene, causing widespread overdoses, but a significant drop followed after China imposed a ban, which closed an important regulatory loophole affecting the U.S. However, the situation has changed dramatically in recent years. In 2025, the DEA reported identifying carfentanil in U.S. drug seizures 1,400 times, compared to just 145 instances in 2023 and 54 in 2022.
Authorities suggest traffickers may be experimenting with local production methods in Mexico or sourcing the drug from Chinese vendors who circumvent regulations by advertising in foreign online forums. Nonetheless, the manufacturing of carfentanil poses significant dangers, as Tarentino emphasized the complexities involved, stating, “You can’t just dabble in this.”
Dip in overdose deaths and fentanyl seizures
U.S. overdose deaths have experienced a decline for more than two years, marking the longest drop in decades. Experts attribute this to factors such as the increased availability of the overdose-reversing drug naloxone and expanded addiction treatment programs. Nevertheless, specialists warn that even multiple doses of naloxone might not be effective against overdoses involving carfentanil.
Fentanyl seizures have also decreased, with U.S. Customs and Border Protection reporting approximately 12,000 pounds of fentanyl seized in 2025 — less than half the quantity taken in 2023. Nevertheless, the DEA remains focused on the threat of fentanyl, as evidenced by a proposed budget increase of $362 million aimed at addressing cartel-driven trafficking.
“Anyone who takes a pill that is not prescribed to them by their doctor is playing a game of Russian roulette with their life,” warned Sara Carter, who held the position of drug czar under President Donald Trump.
Researched as a chemical weapon
While the occurrence of carfentanil remains low compared to fentanyl, the rise of this drug—previously researched as a chemical weapon—has raised alarms among experts, particularly given its grim track record. The DEA’s annual quota for legal production is a mere 20 grams, a quantity easily fitting in the palm of a hand.
Michael King Jr., founder of the Opioid Awareness Foundation, remarked, “It’s like a biological weapon. If the world thinks we had a problem with fentanyl, that’s minute compared to what we’re going to be dealing with with carfentanil.” Overdose deaths involving carfentanil surged nearly threefold in 2024, with 413 deaths reported across 42 states and Washington, D.C., according to the latest CDC data.
“Carfentanil definitely has that potential of spreading throughout the United States unless law enforcement really focuses in on carfentanil and they develop intelligence as to how these drug addicts are getting it,” stated Mike Vigil, a former chief of international operations at the DEA.
In recent months, the DEA has documented several substantial carfentanil seizures, including 628,000 pills found in October and over 50,000 counterfeit pills seized in September in Washington state, which contained a mixture of carfentanil and acetaminophen.
‘All about money’
The appeal of carfentanil lies in its intense euphoric effects, despite the risks, as frequent drug users may seek it out due to tolerance developed towards fentanyl. Rob Tanguay, senior medical lead for addiction services in Canada, noted that this drug’s efficiency in supplying an immense effect from a small amount enhances its market value.
After her son’s death, Kelley Nalewaja opted not to organize an elaborate funeral. Instead, she put together a town hall in El Dorado Hills, bringing together local officials and mothers who had experienced similar losses. As she mourns the loss of her son, a charismatic salesman recognized with national honors by the electrical union, she advocates for legislative and judicial changes to prevent further tragedies caused by a substance she believes was never intended for human use.
“It’s not an OD; it’s not an overdose,” she stated emphatically. “It’s a murder weapon.”
