ST. PAUL - Minnesota law enforcement officials have issued a warning about pills containing fentanyl, known as "Mexican Oxy," following an apparent fatal overdose linked to the pills.
Beth Leann Roulet, 38, was found dead in a Mankato home Tuesday of an apparent opioid overdose. Her death is believed to be the first in Minnesota from these pills, according to a news release from the Department of Public Safety.
Investigators with the Minnesota River Valley Drug Task Force discovered small, light-blue colored pills at the scene with the letter "M" on one side and the number 30 on the other.
Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension scientists have confirmed that the pills are marked as legitimately manufactured oxycodone but actually contain fentanyl.
According to investigators, counterfeit pills like these are believed to originate in Mexico and have been linked to fatal overdoses across the country. They look similar to legitimate pills.
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"Counterfeit opioid drugs are designed to look like the real thing," said Drew Evans, BCA superintendent, in a news release. "Your supplier has no idea which dose would kill you, and neither will you. There is no safe dose."
According to the release, law enforcement is targeting mid-level and high-level drug dealers in an effort to prevent further tragedies.
