PITTSBURGH -- Pittsburgh, Allegheny County and federal authorities announced a joint investigation into fentanyl-laced heroin that has led to six deaths and dozens of overdoses since the weekend.

The drug is being sold in stamp bags marked "Get high or die trying" and "Dynasty" for $10 to $15 each, police said.

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Current Overdose Statistics:

• 30 males
• 12 females
• 2 undetermined
• All but 2 of the overdose victims are white

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U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan said investigators will try to determine whether fentanyl is being used to make heroin more potent or whether dealers are using it to create a market for a new drug.

Pittsburgh Police Cmdr. Maurita Bryant said heroin users are hearing the buzz about the drug and its strength, and are actively seeking it out.

More than 1,000 packets of the heroin have been seized locally, Bryant said.

Lt. Kevin Kraus said police are working long overtime shifts to find out how the drugs wound up in the city.

Police said arrests have been made, but neither the suspects' names nor the charges they face have been released.

If convicted, sentences for those involved in trafficking the drug would range from a minimum of 20 years in prison to a maximum of life, Buchanan said.

Detroit, Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Chicago and other cities have all seen drug users die from heroin combined with fentanyl, which is considered 80 times more powerful than morphine. Authorities have confirmed more than 100 deaths because of the fentanyl-laced drugs.

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Related Links:

• Previous Story: 'High Or Die': More Than 30 Overdoses Reported
• More County News

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