Independence PD: Barbies sold at Cargo Largo potentially contaminated with fentanyl

UNITED STATES, March 22 — 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 grains of salt can kill somebody," Hall said. KSHB 41 Jeremiah Hall The data shows the impact fentanyl has on the community. "2025 statistics aren’t our yet but 2024, 57% of all overdose deaths were fentanyl related," said Hall.

He said situations like this are a reminder to always 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," said Hall. 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 . This is a developing story.

— If you have any information about a crime, you may contact your local police department directly. But if you want or need to remain anonymous, you should contact the Greater Kansas City Crime Stoppers Tips Hotline by calling 816-474-TIPS (8477), submitting the tip online or through the free mobile app at P3Tips. com .

Depending on your tip, Crime Stoppers could offer you a cash reward.