The Rise of Fentanyl and the Story of George Erik Marquardt

In 1991, a new drug called fentanyl hit the streets of New York City, leading to a national crisis. The drug was traced back to George Erik Marquardt, who manufactured it in Kansas. Marquardt had a criminal history involving various illegal drugs and was sentenced to prison multiple times. Fentanyl, a synthetic heroin, became a deadly epidemic in the US, resulting in numerous overdose deaths. Marquardt was eventually arrested, convicted, and sentenced to federal prison, where he connected with organized crime figures. He died in 2017, leaving behind a legacy of destruction caused by illegal fentanyl.