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Australian authorities intercept toxic death drug

Xinhua, February 17, 2017 Adjust font size:

Australian border force officers in the state of Queensland intercepted an ultra-lethal drug on Friday, said to be so toxic that it can kill a human merely by touching it.

The drug known as Carfentanyl, is often used as a tranquilizer for large animals such as elephants, with the smallest doses in humans causing death, and is 10,000 times more potent than morphine.

Border police intercepted the drug at a mail center in the city of Brisbane, and Police Minister Mark Ryan issued an urgent warning to members of the public about the dangers of the toxic substance.

"I am advised that Carfentanyl is a highly toxic and potent synthetic based drug, with a 0.002 mg dose enough to kill a person," Ryan said.

This incident is the second time that Australian authorities have intercepted the drug, with the first occurring in Sydney last year. Endit