Cole Millsap preferred to text his clients when he had drugs available . Customers saw him as their go-to person for fentanyl , heroin and other drugs . The 22-yearold Millsap eked out a living selling dime bags . Unfortunately for Millsap , one of his clients took just 0.4 grams of powder ― for $ 40 ― and died . Millsap is now facing jail time .
The escalating fentanyl crisis
Fentanyl is highly addictive and often lethal , contributing to a significant rise in overdoses in the U . S . In 2023 , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 107,543 overdose deaths , marking a 3.5-fold increase in fentanylrelated deaths from 2012 to 2022 . 1
Fentanyl precursors are produced in several jurisdictions across Asia and are shipped to companies in Mexico , often passing through various countries . Cartels then traffic these raw materials or the final products ― such as pills , powders and sprays ― into the U . S . and Canada for consumption . These forms of fentanyl are highly addictive , inexpensive to produce and extremely profitable , making them attractive to drug cartels , intermediaries and professional money laundering organizations . All of these players have key roles in sourcing , distributing and funding the production and sale of fentanyl products .
Purpose
The distribution and sale of fentanyl often involves low-level street operators who leverage smartphones , social media and text messaging to conduct business . These individuals frequently use coded language , emojis and slang to evade detection and communicate discreetly , exploiting modern digital platforms to facilitate their illegal activities . Consequently , understanding these coded messages is essential to improving detection and supporting investigative efforts .
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FinCEN guidance
In June 2024 , the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network ( FinCEN ) published a supplemental advisory highlighting additional guidance , including references to slang and code words in the footnotes , and outlining the need for the financial sector to take a more active role in detecting illicit funds flowing through the financial system , often masking their origin and purpose . 2 The distinct typologies of fentanyl trafficking have continued to evolve , making it essential for the financial sector to stay informed about emerging tactics .
How traffickers exploit emojis and slang
Drug traffickers increasingly rely on coded language , including slang words and emojis , to evade detection . Slang has always found its place in the underworld . Words like weed and dope , which originated in the 1960s , have evolved into newer words used for marijuana and heroin . The use of slang terms , such as those listed in Table 1 on the following page , allows users and sellers to communicate quickly and accurately about the drug being exchanged . When someone wants amphetamine , they may use substitute words such as B-Bombs , Black Birds , Dolls , White Crosses and myriad other labels . Words like Apache , Chinese Food , Dragon or Snowflake refer to fentanyl . 3 Across the shopping list of drugs , there are numerous terms for each type of drug , sometimes reflecting a distributor ’ s brand or locale . Online use of drug-related slang is increasing on private platforms and transiting to payment systems , revealing new opportunities for surveillance using analytical techniques and tools . 4
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