PAINTSVILLE, Ky. (WMDJ) — The Paintsville Police Department is warning the public about fentanyl-laced tablets shaped like popular cartoon characters that were recently seized in the region.

According to police, the Violent Crime Drug Task Force with the Huntington, West Virginia Police Department confiscated 900 multi-colored tablets pressed into the shape of an emblem from the “Transformers” series. Authorities say the pills were bright in color and about the size of a child’s vitamin, making them easy to mistake for candy.

Preliminary field testing indicates the tablets tested positive for MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy or Molly, as well as fentanyl. Fentanyl is a highly potent synthetic opioid that has been linked to hundreds of thousands of overdose deaths nationwide.

Paintsville Police are urging parents and guardians to talk with children and teenagers about the dangers of consuming unknown substances. Officials say the candy-like appearance of the tablets poses a particular risk to young children who could accidentally ingest them.

Anyone with information about illegal drug activity is asked to contact Paintsville Police.

For emergencies or crimes in progress, call 911.
For non-emergencies, call 606-789-4221.
Anonymous tips can be made by calling 606-792-2706.