NORWICH - The City of Norwich Police Department announced a major drug discovery on Thursday following a narcotic investigation where detectives seized approximately 32,000 lethal doses of fentanyl.

“We have overdoses every single day in this community. We respond to 5 or 7 a week, at least. The Norwich EMS, Norwich Fire, the PD, the Sheriff, the Troopers — almost every day we have to use Narcan,” said Norwich Police Chief Reuben Roach.

According to the National Drug Enforcement Agencies, two milligrams of fentanyl can be lethal depending on a person’s body size, tolerance and past usage.

“On Wednesday morning, detectives from the Norwich Police Department successfully concluded a drug investigation, resulting in the seizure of 64 grams of fentanyl, an amount capable of causing tens of thousands of fatal overdoses,” said Roach.

“Fentanyl has devastated communities across the nation, and I am proud to announce that our detectives have removed a significant quantity of this dangerous drug from our streets today,” he said.

Roach said information gathered during the investigation indicated the source of the drugs was likely from the border and involved organized crime. He said drug dealers often laced fentanyl into other drugs such as opiates, and even into legal products like vapes.

“We suspect the border. It is not being locally made. It is not easily made,” said the police chief.