INDEPENDENCE, Mo. — Authorities are investigating after fentanyl was discovered inside the packaging of several Barbie dolls sold at a Missouri discount store.
According to the Independence Police Department, officers recovered five dolls sold at Cargo Largo that had fentanyl taped inside the back of the packaging.
Police were first alerted March 21 after Cargo Largo security reported a suspicious powder inside one of the toy packages. Investigators later confirmed the substance was fentanyl and began working to determine how many items may have been compromised.
Officials say five dolls in total were affected. All have since been located, and police say there is no indication any additional items were distributed to other retailers. No injuries have been reported.
Jade Adams, who purchased one of the dolls, described the moment her family discovered the substance.
“When [Adams’ husband] opened it with a knife, it was like, poof, in the car,” Adams told FOX 4. “We were like, ‘What is that?’”
Adams said she immediately contacted the store, which then notified police.
“They could have dusted that all over themselves, their house, wherever they opened it,” Adams said. “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.”
Emily’s Hope has reported on several other cases of drug dealers hiding dangerous substances inside toys, including stuffed animals.
