Times staff report

The Drug Enforcement Administration’s El Paso Division issued a safety bulletin warning that pills being sold on the street as oxycodone are actually counterfeit pills containing fentanyl.

The El Paso Division, which covers West Texas and New Mexico, said the pills have markings similar to legitimate oxycodone pills.

More:Deadly blue 'Mexican oxy' pills take toll on US as Sinaloa Cartel turns to fentanyl

Officials warn that fentanyl is an extremely potent synthetic opioid that is 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine. Fentanyl is odorless, and unintentional exposure to it can be fatal.

The DEA warns that buying drugs from street dealers is dangerous because people do not know whether a pill is counterfeit or what it actually contains.

For more information on dangerous drugs and drug abuse, visit GetSmartAboutDrugs.com and dea.gov.

Want more crime news like this? Click here to subscribe to elpasotimes.com.