Fentanyl pills found inside candy boxes seized at LAX

(CNN)-- Thousands of suspected fentanyl pills were seized at Los Angeles International Airport Wednesday.

Authorities say someone tried to go through the airport's security screening with an estimated 12,000 Fentanyl pills disguised as bags of candy and snacks.

That person fled,  but police said they’ve identified them and the investigation is on-going.

Fentanyl is a Synthetic Opioid reportedly 50 times more potent than Heroin, and up to 100 times more potent than Morphine.

The DEA said it is the deadliest drug threat facing the nation.

In 2021, a record number of Americans died from drug poisoning or overdose.

Of nearly 108,000 deaths, about 66% were attributed to Synthetic Opioids like Fentanyl.