MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – The Miami-Dade Police Department is warning the community about the discovery of a candy coated drug that is laced with ethylone.
Police said a drug bust in late June turned up a bag of candy. Lab testing confirmed that candy was coated with ethylone, a synthetic drug that is a derivative of flakka.
Police said this is the first time they've discovered the drug being distributed in candy form and are concerned about its increased marketability to children.
"For the first time, we saw a case that was submitted in the form of candy where the drug was actually substituting for the sugar coating on the candy," said Stephen Snipes, who works in Miami-Dade police's crime lab. "We wanted the community to be aware that this is a new way to market or distribute this dangerous substance, and it is the first time we saw it. And we want the community to know it is a danger."
Police advise parents to talk with their children about the dangers of taking candy from strangers and to not consume candy that is not properly packaged.
Follow Local 10 News on Twitter @WPLGLocal10