Deputies: Fentanyl pills packaged in ‘Skittles,’ ‘SweeTARTS’ and ‘Whoppers’ boxes seized at airport

LOS ANGELES — Just weeks before Halloween, narcotics officials said they seized 12,000 suspected fentanyl pills that were hidden in bags of candy and snacks.

>> Read more trending news

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said in a news release that its narcotics bureau agents were working on a task force with the Drug Enforcement Agency at the Los Angeles International Airport when they found the pills on Oct. 19.

Deputies said the suspect tried to go through the TSA screening checkpoint with several bags of candy and snacks. Inside some of the boxes and bags of “Skittles,” “SweeTARTS” and “Whoppers,” deputies said they found approximately 12,000 pills.

Photos included with the news release show a number of different candies and snacks, some of which appear filled with small blue pills.

Deputies said that while the suspect ran away before being detained, officers have been able to identify them and are continuing the investigation.

The drug seizure comes as authorities issued a recent warning that drug dealers have been using candy wrappers and rainbow dyes to disguise fentanyl, The Associated Press reported.

Deputies said in the news release that concerned parents should always check their children’s candy and if anything seems strange, do not touch it and call your local law enforcement agency.

ExpandAutoplay

Image 1 of 5

Fentanyl pills packaged in candy boxes seized at airport LASD said approximately 12,000 pills were found in boxes and bags of “Skittles,” “SweeTARTS” and “Whoppers." (Los Angeles Sheriff's Department)

©2022 Cox Media Group