DEA warns about fake online pharmacies selling dangerous drugs

LAREDO, Texas (KGNS) – The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is warning people to be careful when purchasing medications online. They have seen an increase in fake pharmacies selling counterfeit pills such as oxycodone, Adderall and Xanax. Some of these fake pills have resulted in deaths, including a recent case where someone died after taking a pill laced with fentanyl.

The DEA says many of these fake drugs come from the Dominican Republic and India. They look real, but are often mixed with hazardous substances.

Robert Kennedy, DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge, emphasized the risks of purchasing medications from unverified sources: “If it is not a DEA-listed pharmacy or pharmaceutical company that has a DEA number or at least has a state control number to distribute pharmacy, you may want to be careful when purchasing from them,” Kennedy said.

The DEA has seized counterfeit pills containing fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid responsible for a growing number of overdose deaths in the US.

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