Authorities in Missouri caution consumers after discovering that fentanyl contaminated Barbie dolls sold at a discount store. Doctors use fentanyl, a powerful opioid drug, in the treatment of severe pain during and after surgery.
Fentanyl is also responsible for the largest share of the tens of thousands of drug overdose deaths in the United States each year. It kills more people than the combined totals of car crashes and gun violence.
Which is why Jade Adams, who purchased one of the Barbie dolls at a Cargo Largo store in Independence, Missouri, was shocked by the discovery.
“When [her husband] opened it with a knife, it was like, poof, in the car,” Adams told Fox 4 News. “We were like, ‘What is that?’”
There was powder between the tape and the package. Police identified the powder as fentanyl and determined that someone had tampered with the package. Luckily, no one has reported injuries.
“[Adams’ mother] went to Cargo Largo and was like you need to get these Barbies; you need to get all these Barbies,” Adams said. “So, they filled a whole cart up of these Barbies and took them to security and were like, ‘You need to check all of these Barbies.’
“They could have dusted that all over themselves, their house, wherever they opened it,” Adams added. “Like, it’s not just me, it’s really just the kids for me. That’s my baby, that’s my last baby, that’s terrifying.”
Authorities have already located five of the tainted Barbie dolls that the store sold. Police said there is no reason to believe someone sent other contaminated dolls to other retailers. They added that drug cartels and traffickers frequently employ this strategy.
How do drug smugglers get fentanyl into the United States?
There are many ways smugglers attempt to bring drugs like fentanyl into the United States.
For example, on March 10 at the Del Rio International Bridge in Texas, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers seized more than $2.2 million worth of cocaine, heroin and fentanyl hidden within a passenger vehicle.
The drug seizure occurred when a 2016 GMC Yukon driven by a 32-year-old female U.S. citizen was recommended for further inspection by a CBP officer. Packages containing 117.33 pounds of cocaine, 23.14 pounds of heroin, and 11.5 pounds of fentanyl were found concealed within the car by CBP agents after a canine and non-intrusive inspection system investigation.
“This triple threat seizure of three powerful hard narcotics reflects the firm resolve of our officers and their tireless dedication to our border security mission,” said Port Director Lilliana Flores, Del Rio Port of Entry. “This load will not reach American streets and will not inflict pain and death on our communities.”