Fake Pain Pill Deaths Rising In Oklahoma

Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics agents are working with federal drug agents and across state lines to bring down dealers selling fake pain pills.

Six Oklahomans have died from pills masked as Oxycodone but contained deadly amounts of Fentanyl. Agents have arrested three people in connection to selling the counterfeit pills. They expect to have more arrests once they get closer to the main sources.

“We have seized several hundred of these pills at different locations in the course of making the three arrests,” said Mark Woodward, Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics.

Woodward said of the eight overdose cases agents are investigating, six have been fatal. The first two deaths were reported in May in the Oklahoma City metro. OBN officials said the fake Oxycodone pills look strikingly similar to the real deal.

“We have seen some side-by-side that you couldn’t tell the difference,” said Woodward. 

As the fake pain pills spread across our state OBN agents increased their reach to find the sources.

“Some of our leads have taken our investigators to Texas and we’re working with authorities and DEA,” said Woodward. “To look not just in Oklahoma but some other states as well.”

He thinks their efforts may be too late for some Oklahomans who have already bought from the deadly batch.

“Our phone is still ringing from police departments and families saying that we believe this particular death might also be contributed,” said Woodward.

OBN also encouraged people to come forward if they know information that could help the investigation.

“We believe there are people who know who these dealers are,” said Woodward. “They’ve been keeping quiet because maybe they don’t want to get in trouble. We can’t stress enough that you will remain anonymous.”

OBN did not release the names of the suspects in custody because they are part of an ongoing investigation.