Wednesday 25/March/2026 – 12:03 PM
US police found fentanyl inside packages of Barbie dolls for sale at a discount store in Independence, Missouri, in an unexpected incident.
The police explained in an official statement that Cargo Largo store security employees discovered a mysterious powder inside one of the dolls’ packages, during a routine examination, with tests proving that the substance is the extremely dangerous narcotic fentanyl, which can cause death in small quantities.
A gang illegally uses Barbie dolls
The police indicated that the investigation revealed the presence of five contaminated packages that were sold to the store’s customers before the discovery of the drug, all of which were recovered within a few hours, without recording any injuries, explaining that there is no reason to believe that the contaminated packages are present in other stores, but the investigation is still ongoing.
Investigators confirmed that the operation highlights a new method by drug gangs to distribute narcotic substances, by hiding them inside products intended for children, which may raise great concerns among parents and retail employees about the safety of products sold in local stores.
She added that these incidents confirm the development of drug smuggling methods in the United States, and the use of dolls of famous figures for children as a front for drug promotion, which is an extremely disturbing and dangerous method.
Investigators urged parents to be careful and inspect any toys purchased from stores, especially those offered at low prices, and stressed the need to immediately report any suspicious packages.
A police official said: Our goal is to protect society and prevent these materials from reaching children or consumers in general.
Investigators began tracking the source of the contaminated containers, with the aim of identifying the gang that used this innovative method of distributing drugs, in an attempt to prevent the recurrence of such crimes in the future.
