Suspected Drug Pills Found in Candy Bags... US on Alert Ahead of Halloween

Fentanyl-Suspected Pills Hidden in Candy Box Found at LA Airport
‘Drug Candy’ Incidents Recur Every Halloween Season

A large quantity of pills suspected to be fentanyl, a narcotic painkiller, was seized on the 19th (local time) at Los Angeles (LA) International Airport in the United States. Photo by LA County Sheriff's Department [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] As Halloween approaches, a tradition where children dress up in various costumes and receive candy from neighbors, pills suspected to be drugs were found in candy bags in the United States. Authorities urged immediate reporting if anything suspicious is found in candy boxes.

On the 20th (local time), according to the New York Post and others, 12,000 pills suspected to be fentanyl were discovered hidden inside a candy box at an international airport in Los Angeles the previous day. However, the media stated, "The police have not confirmed what these pills are."

The suspect attempted to pass through the security checkpoint at 7:30 a.m. the previous day carrying several sealed candy bags, but individually packaged bags were detected on the X-ray screen. He fled the scene, and the police have identified the suspect and are currently investigating.

Authorities emphasized the need for parents to be cautious as Halloween approaches. They advised that even if the packaging is sealed or undamaged, parents should always check their children's candy. Local police said, "Children should not eat candy carelessly until parents have checked," and "If anything suspected to be drugs is found in candy boxes, do not touch it and report it to authorities immediately."

Such 'drug candy' incidents occur repeatedly every Halloween season. In November 2018, in the UK, drugs suspected to be ecstasy were found in the baskets of 2- and 5-year-old children who went to neighbors for candy, prompting a police investigation. In 2017, powdered drugs were found in candy received by a child in Wisconsin, USA, causing controversy.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.