Fentanyl’s Street Value

Known Street Values of Fentanyl by Amount

As technology continues to advance, the illicit drug trade advances with it. Unlike in years past, the vast majority of wholesale drug transactions involving fentanyl are online. Utilizing “dark web” drug markets, drug dealers are able to purchase large quantities of fentanyl directly from international manufacturers and have it shipped directly to themselves.

Fentanyl, like other illicit substances, has a wholesale price and a personal use price (1). As the amount purchased increases, the price decreases. The wholesale amount for fentanyl is approximately 5 grams. Pharmaceutical grade fentanyl is available for purchase on illegal online drug markets for approximately $1400 per gram for amounts smaller than 5 grams and approximately $139 per gram for amounts greater than 5 grams. 5 grams of fentanyl is enough to provide a lethal dose to 2500 adult male’s.

What Factors Contribute to the Street Value of Fentanyl?

Much like on conventional markets, factors that can impact fentanyl’s street value include supply, demand, and quality (2). As manufacturers and dealers develop the reputation of being a dependable supplier with high quality products, they are able to increase their prices. Another factor determining availability and price is ease of access. With different parts of the world having a wide variety of trade and postal service regulations, fentanyl prices will increase and decrease based on each of these and the ability for suppliers to navigate them.

Street Prices of Fentanyl Compared to Common Opioids

As compared to other opioids found on illegal online drug markets, fentanyl tends to be more expensive. Though it carries the wholesale price of approximately $139 per gram compared to heroin’s $32 per gram, it is still financially beneficial for drug dealers to purchase fentanyl. 10 grams of fentanyl is estimated to provide the same dose as 1 kilogram of heroin that carries an estimated street value of $160,00 dollars. Compared to the $1390 that a dealer would pay for the same impact from fentanyl, it is easy to see why this highly potent chemical compound is so popular.

Can Purity of Fentanyl Be Determined?

Due to its synthetic manufacturing process, fentanyl carries a relatively standard level of potency. What determines the purity of the final product are the other substances mixed in with the fentanyl. Users of fentanyl rarely test its potency with chemical means. The most common way to determine the potency of each substance is to use a small amount and see what effect it has. Often, those purchasing fentanyl will return to the same dealers after determining that they provide a quality product.

Crude methods of determining potency are often utilized as well. An unfortunate but common practice to determine purity is users flocking to dealers who provided the products to someone in the community who has recently overdosed. The user understands that the product used must be extremely potent and therefore has the potential to provide a strong high regardless of the associated dangers.