The United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) found “Rainbow” colored fentanyl packed to look like candy into LEGO boxes on Tuesday.
In what is considered the DEA’s first significant seizure of the rainbow fentanyl in New York City, agents stopped a vehicle in Manhattan that was carrying 15,000 multicolored pills on September 28.
A woman, identified as 48-year-old Latesha Bush of Trenton, New Jersey, was pulled over by police on 10th Avenue near the Lincoln Tunnel as part of a sting operation.
Inside the car, the New York Drug Enforcement Task found innocent-looking Lego boxes that were carrying the pills.
The pills had “30 M” imprinted on them to resemble 30 mg oxycodone hydrochloride pills, which are used to treat severe pain.
"The pills look like candy," said New York City's special narcotics prosecutor Bridgette Brennan. "We believe it is critically important to educate the public about this new form fentanyl is taking."
"This is deliberate. This is calculated. This is treacherous deception to market rainbow fentanyl-like candy. This is every parent's worst nightmare, especially in the month of October as Halloween fast approaches," DEA Special Agent in Charge Frank Tarentino III said.
"These pills are hidden in pretty much anything imaginable. Traffickers are very innovative,” he added.
So far, the DEA has seized 36 million lethal doses around the nation after it launched a 15-week enforcement and education campaign titled “One Pill Can Kill.” At least 500,000 of the doses were found in New York State alone.
Bush was arrested and charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance n the first and third degrees. Her bail was set at $25,00 cash/$150,000 insurance company bond/$100,000 partially secured surety bond.
