(ABC 6 News) – The fight against a deadly drug is getting worse in our region.

New numbers released today show seizures of fentanyl pills in the Upper Midwest grew by 83%.

But Minnesota and Iowa seem to experience the brunt of it: both states saw more than double the amount of fentanyl seizures in 2023, when compared to 2022.

“It’s like an avalanche,” said Drug Enforcement Administration Minnesota Special Agent Rafael Mattei. “They’re seeing our efforts and they’re trying to counteract with just sending more.”

The Minnesota DEA office says drug distributors will try almost anything, including mailing fentanyl-stuffed teddy bears to addresses in the metro area.

The agency adds that seven out of ten pills they’ve seized contained a potentially dose of the drug.