The fake pills were made to look like Xanax pills, or alprazolam, which is a medication used to treat anxiety. US attorney on rise of fentanyl in Michigan: ‘A game of Russian roulette ...

Anecdotal reports from some professionals have prompted concerns about young people using prescription benzodiazepines such as Xanax for recreational use.

However, Mr Ryan said much of the Xanax being sold illegally is actually fake. "They're often manufactured to look exactly like quality assured pharmaceutical drugs, but they're not," he said.