DEA agents raid suspected fentanyl lab in Seattle

SEATTLE – Federal agents have raided a Seattle home to remove dangerous chemicals used to make the synthetic opiate known as fentanyl.

The Drug Enforcement Administration agents told KCPQ-TV that they wore protective gear to make sure they didn’t inadvertently breathe in or touch the fentanyl, which could kill them.

DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Douglas James says fentanyl is 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 more potent than morphine. He says the Wednesday raid is part of an ongoing operation targeting people who use fentanyl to cut their heroin and give users a bigger high.

James says such heroin could be deadly. Fentanyl overdoses killed more than 700 people between 2013 and 2015.

One person was taken into custody and will appear in federal court Thursday.