KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Independence Police Department was alerted by Cargo Largo on March 21 about Barbie dolls that may be contaminated with fentanyl.
At around 10:18 a.m. Saturday, security at the store reported a "suspicious powder substance" in the packaging of a Barbie doll, per IPD.
Officers determined the powder was fentanyl and launched an investigation with help from Cargo Largo to determine the number of compromised products sold.
A total of five compromised dolls were sold between Thursday, March 19, and Friday, March 20, per police.
As of about 12:30 p.m. Saturday, two or three were still outstanding, but IPD reports all five compromised dolls were recovered by Saturday afternoon.
During the investigation, it was determined that the dolls themselves weren't compromised. The drug was found taped inside the back packaging.
Jeremiah Hall, the chief operating officer at Healing House, said this is a dangerous situation as fentanyl is a potent drug. He said small amounts could be deadly.
"Milligrams, really. A couple of grains of salt can kill somebody," Hall said.
The data shows the impact fentanyl has on the community.
"2025 statistics aren’t out yet, but in 2024, 57% of all overdose deaths were fentanyl related," Hall said.
He said situations like this are a reminder to stay vigilant.
"The awareness is becoming more prominent. I know that the deaths are down in Kansas City, but we’re still seeing such a high number of people not even knowing they’re ingesting fentanyl," Hall said.
No injuries have been reported at this time, and the investigation remains active.
The dolls were contaminated before arriving at Cargo Largo in Independence, according to IPD.
Pictures of the Barbies can be found on the Independence Police Department’s Facebook page.
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