ATLANTA — A 45-year-old Atlanta man is facing federal charges after prosecutors say he distributed a drug so potent it is used to sedate elephants.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Atlanta, Rodericus San Juan Warner is accused of selling hundreds of carfentanil and fentanyl pills, along with methamphetamine.

Carfentanil is an extremely powerful opioid about 100 times stronger than fentanyl and is intended solely for veterinary use to sedate large animals such as elephants.

“Synthetic opioid abuse continues to claim lives, and now fentanyl has become a gateway to an even more dangerous drug, carfentanil,” said U.S Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “A convicted felon, Warner allegedly showed no fear of the law and absolutely no concern for the deadly risk drugs and guns posed to the small children at the residence he occupied.”

Robert J. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division says it is “a deadly synthetic narcotic” and it is not meant for human consumption.

Warner has been denied bond and will remain in custody as the case moves forward.