Sedgwick County sheriff warns of fake oxycodone pills containing fentanyl

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Sedgwick Co. Sheriff's Office Sedgwick Co. Sheriff's Office
WICHITA, Kan. (KAKE) -

The Sedgwick County sheriff says local law enforcement agencies continue to investigate counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl.

Suspected oxycodone pills have been seized over the course of 2019 and determined through forensic testing to be counterfeit. Sheriff Jeff Easter said Wednesday that the pills contained Fentanyl, a potentially fatal synthetic drug.

"The counterfeit pills appear from their markings to be legitimate Oxycodone pills; however after undergoing forensic testing, they are confirmed to contain Fentanyl instead of the ingredients of authentic Oxycodone," the sheriff's office said in a news release. "The KBI has also published information about the seizures of counterfeit Oxycodone pills in counties surrounding Sedgwick County."

(MORE: Wichita police warn of fake oxycodone pills containing fentanyl)

Anyone who comes across blue pills with the imprint "M/30" is advised to not handle them and seal the pills in a plastic bag.

"While the pills may not present as high a risk to anyone when the pills are whole, the recovery of these items in crushed/powder or half pill form will pose a risk hazard if any Fentanyl within the binding material becomes airborne. The counterfeit pills that have been submitted to the lab appear lighter in color and may have speckles of colors to include tinges of green and blue."

Federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies have all reported encountering these counterfeit pills. Sheriff Easter said many of these pill are being manufactured and shipped by the Mexican drug cartels. 

The release says Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that has a potency of 50 to 100 times higher than morphine. 

"The presence of these synthetic opioids in the drug market has led to a higher overdose rate and deaths... We highly encourage parents to speak with their children and share this information with them about this potentially fatal drug."

If you believe a person has overdosed on fentanyl, call 911 immediately, administer Narcan right away if available, and start rescue breathing. 

Anyone with information about the illegal use or sale of any drug is urged to call Crime Stoppers at (316) 267-2111. Those needing help with addiction should call Sedgwick County COMCARE Addiction Treatment Services at (316) 660-1100. 

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