Fentanyl confirmed in rural Mankato overdose death | Local News

MANKATO — Testing has confirmed that pills suspected of causing a rural Mankato woman to fatally overdose this week contained fentanyl.

It is believed to be the first death in Minnesota caused by fentanyl disguised as oxycodone.

Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is 80 to 100 times stronger than morphine and increasingly is being added to illicit drugs to increase their potency.

Beth Leann Roulet, 38, was found dead in a bathroom of a residence north of Mankato Tuesday morning. Near her body, authorities found blue pills they suspected were counterfeit oxycodone.

Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension scientists tested the pills and confirmed they contained fentanyl, the agency announced.

The results prompted the Minnesota Department of Public Safety to issue a public warning Friday.

“Counterfeit opioid drugs are designed to look like the real thing,” BCA Supt. Drew Evans said in the press release. “Your supplier has no idea which dose would kill you, and neither will you. There is no safe dose.”

The counterfeit opioids are believed to be coming from Mexico, the warning states. They have been linked to deaths across the United States. Roulet is the first known victim in Minnesota.

It is not known how Roulet obtained the pills. The Minnesota River Valley Drug Task Force is investigating.