DEA warns of new variant of fentanyl that’s killed 11 Arizonans The DEA says the Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office has found 11 people who’ve died of suspected overdoses have had para-fluorofentanyl in their system. Author: Colleen Sikora Updated: 8:40 PM MST December 28, 2020 Eleven people in Maricopa County have died from a new variant of Fentanyl according to the Drug Enforcement Administration. The DEA is concerned about the new version of the synthetic opioid, believing it’s not just in Maricopa County, but across Arizona. The presence of fentanyl has been increasing over the last few years, and just one pill can be deadly.