ORVILLE GREENE

GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- A surge of fentanyl-laced pills into Michigan and other parts of the country has federal officials warning the public to avoid street-purchased pills that may look like prescription medication. Regional leaders with the Drug Enforcement Agency and the U.S. Attorney’s office spoke about the problem Tuesday, Oct. 18 in Grand Rapids. Recently, rainbow fentanyl began to show up in the United States. In Michigan and Ohio, the DEA and other law enforcement seized more than 65 kilograms of fentanyl powder and 88,000 fentanyl-laced pills. Nationwide, during the same time period, authorities seized 10.2 million fentanyl pills and about 980 pounds of fentanyl powder.

The DEA is warning parents about drugs like “Rainbow fentanyl,” which has been trending nationwide.

A Texas man has been sentenced for hiding 406 pounds of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine in a truck full of wine and trying to bring it to Metro Detroit.

The colorful drug comes in various shapes and sizes including pills, powder and blocks that resemble sidewalk chalk.

It’s the deadliest drug threat in America, and it only took days for rainbow fentanyl to appear in Michigan after the DEA warned it was coming.