North Louisiana Crime Lab warns of cyclorphine cases, counterfeit pill “footprint”

MONROE, La. (KNOE) – The North Louisiana Crime Lab released a June 2026 law enforcement bulletin warning of additional cases tied to cyclorphine, a synthetic opioid the lab says can be significantly more potent than fentanyl.

The bulletin, titled “Cyclorphine Update — Additional Cases & Footprint,” notes that drug evidence submissions testing positive for cyclorphine have been received from multiple parishes in North Louisiana.

What is cyclorphine?

According to the bulletin, cyclorphine is a synthetic opioid in the emerging orphine drug class. The lab said current toxicity data are limited, but laboratory studies indicate cyclorphine may be up to 10 times more potent than fentanyl.

Reported effects

The crime lab said cyclorphine can produce effects similar to other narcotic analgesics, including:

• Central nervous system depression
• Lethargy or stupor
• Respiratory depression with slow, shallow breathing
• Pinpoint pupils

The bulletin said Narcan should be administered to someone suffering from cyclorphine toxicity, and that multiple doses may be needed.

What the bulletin says about trends

The crime lab said national data indicate cyclorphine will likely continue spreading through the region, including becoming more common in seized and submitted drug evidence.

Where cyclorphine has been detected

The bulletin includes a “detection timeline and counterfeit tablet types,” showing evidence submissions tied to specific parishes and dates, including:

• Caddo Parish (Feb. 19; April 14)
• Ouachita Parish (March 18; May 13)
• DeSoto Parish (March 25)
• Natchitoches Parish (May 14)

The lab also noted counterfeit pill types associated with these submissions, including tablets labeled “M30,” “M15,” “K56,” “1259,” and “M367.” Officials warned it may be impossible to know what a pill contains, even if it resembles a known tablet.

The North Louisiana Crime Lab said it will continue tracking trends and sharing updates as additional evidence is submitted.