The North Louisiana Crime Lab is warning residents and law enforcement agencies about the growing presence of cychlorphine, a powerful synthetic opioid that has now been identified in multiple North Louisiana parishes and several types of counterfeit pills circulating on the illicit drug market.
According to the North Louisiana Crime Lab, cychlorphine was first detected in March 2026 in evidence submitted from Caddo Parish. Since then, additional positive cases have been confirmed in DeSoto, Ouachita, and Natchitoches parishes, indicating the substance is expanding its footprint across the region.
Laboratory officials say cychlorphine belongs to the emerging orphine class of synthetic opioids. While research on its effects in humans remains limited, laboratory studies suggest the drug may be significantly more potent than fentanyl, one of the deadliest synthetic opioids currently fueling overdose deaths nationwide.
“One pill can kill,” the Crime Lab emphasized in a public warning issued this week.
Investigators have identified cychlorphine in several counterfeit tablet varieties that are designed to resemble legitimate prescription medications. The counterfeit pills confirmed to contain the substance include:
Blue “M30” tablets
Green “M15” tablets
Pink “K56” tablets
Yellow “T259” tablets
White “M367” tablets
Officials stress that these pills may appear authentic but can contain dangerous and potentially lethal substances.
The Crime Lab warns that there is no reliable way for individuals to determine the contents of illicit pills purchased on the street. Counterfeit tablets may contain cychlorphine, fentanyl, or other synthetic opioids capable of causing overdose, respiratory failure, and death.
Medical experts note that opioid toxicity can result in symptoms including extreme drowsiness, lethargy, slowed or shallow breathing, pinpoint pupils, unconsciousness, and respiratory depression. Emergency responders are advised that multiple doses of naloxone (Narcan) may be necessary when treating suspected opioid overdoses involving highly potent synthetic substances.
Evidence submissions reviewed by the Crime Lab indicate the drug has appeared in multiple counterfeit pill formats across the region. Confirmed detections include:
Caddo Parish (Blue M30 tablet)
Ouachita Parish (Pink K56 and Yellow T259 tablets)
DeSoto Parish (Green M15 tablet)
Natchitoches Parish (White M367 tablet)
The North Louisiana Crime Lab expects the drug to continue spreading throughout the region and is encouraging law enforcement agencies, healthcare providers, educators, and community organizations to remain vigilant.
Officials are urging residents to avoid taking any medication that was not obtained through a licensed pharmacy and prescribed by a healthcare professional.
The Crime Lab says it will continue monitoring emerging drug trends and sharing information with the public to help prevent overdoses and protect communities throughout North Louisiana.
As synthetic opioids continue to evolve and appear in counterfeit medications, authorities say public awareness remains one of the most effective tools in preventing tragic outcomes.
The message from investigators is clear: what appears to be a prescription pill may not be what it seems—and the consequences can be deadly.
