Ahead of Halloween, fentanyl pills hidden in candy boxes seized at LAX

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department reported seizing “approximately 12,000 suspected fentanyl pills” hidden inside candy bags and boxes at the Los Angeles International Airport. The seizure happened Wednesday morning, according to the department.

“The suspect attempted to go through TSA screening with several bags of candy and miscellaneous snacks with the intent of boarding a plane,” the department said in a news release. “However, it was discovered that inside the ‘Sweetarts,’ ‘Skittles,’ and ‘Whoppers’ candy boxes were fentanyl pills and not candy.”

The department said the suspect got away before they could be taken into custody. Law enforcement was able to identify the suspect.

The seizure of fentanyl pills found inside candy boxes came less than two weeks ahead of Halloween. With the department’s report came a warning.

“With Halloween approaching, parents need to make sure they are checking their kids candy and not allowing them to eat anything until it has been inspected by them,” the department said. “If you find anything in candy boxes that you believe might be narcotics, do not touch it and immediately notify your local law enforcement agency.”

Authorities recently have warned that drug dealers have been disguising fentanyl in candy wrappers and manufacturing them in rainbow colors. Earlier this week, a California toddler was poisoned from ingesting fentanyl. The toddler’s parents were later arrested for child endangerment and possession of controlled substances charges.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.