Wednesday 28 September 2022 08:23 AM Images show rainbow-colored fentanyl disguised as Skittles and Nerds candy trends now
A drug that's contributed to the deaths of tens of thousands of Americans last year has been found hidden in Skittles and Nerds packaging - and could be peddled to young children via social media, experts say.
During the period of May 23 to September 8 this year, 10.2 million fentanyl pills and about 980 pounds of fentanyl powder were seized by the the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) as part of the One Pill Can Kill initiative.
Of the 390 cases investigated during this period, 51 cases have been linked to overdose poisonings and 35 cases link directly to one or both of the primary Mexican cartels responsible for the majority of fentanyl in the United States – the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).
In addition, 129 investigations are linked to social media platforms, including Snapchat, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, and TikTok.
The DEA have sent a stern warning to parents to educate themselves as children prepare for the spooky season, with a former specialist warning that 'this is not a drug issue, it's a mass poisoning.'
A recent seizure in Connecticut found 15,000 fentanyl pills stashed in Skittles and Nerds packaging, and with Halloween just weeks away, the DEA is urging parents to be vigilant.
Parents are being urged to get educated on fentanyl as thousands of pills were found in skittles and nerds candy packets, as children gear up to go trick or treating this Halloween
Former DEA special operations director Derek Maltz (pictured) says it's mass poisoning and parents need to be educated
The the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) have linked fentanyl investigations to social media platforms including Snapchat, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, and TikTok
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 times more potent than heroin. Just two milligrams of fentanyl, or the amount that could fit on the tip of a pencil, is considered potentially lethal
" class="c7" scrolling="no"
