A man arrested after police seized 10,000 fake ‘Xanax’ pills

A 19-year-old man has been arrested after police discovered 10,000 fake Xanax pills, just weeks after similar tablets put two teens in hospital.

A man has been arrested after police seized approximately 10,000 fake Xanax pills just weeks after similar tablets put teenagers in hospital.

On Thursday police discovered white oblong tablets labelled Xanax that were later found by Forensic Science SA to be the controlled substance clonazolam.

Police seized approximately 10,000 white tablets labelled Xanax. Picture: Supplied

The word Xanax was imprinted on the tablets. Picture: Supplied

A 19-year-old Mawson Lakes man was arrested at his home and charged with attempted trafficking in a large commercial quantity of a controlled drug, resisting arrest, money laundering, unlawful possession and possession of a prohibited weapon.

He was refused bail and appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates court Monday.

Police seized approximately 10,000 white tablets labelled 'Xanax;, Picture: Supplied

This incident comes after two teenagers were hospitalised when they ingested pills incorrectly stamped with Xanax branding earlier this month.

An 18-year-old Elizabeth Vale man was arrested after that incident and police found more than 1400 tablets in his home.

Police are again warning the community about the dangers of taking unprescribed medications.

Detective superintendent Billy Thompson, from the serious and organised crime branch, said the seized tablets were destined for illegal sale and could have had catastrophic consequences for people choosing to take them.

“We want the community, including young people, to be aware that products for sale on the internet or via other sources are dangerous,” Detective Superintendent Thompson said.

“Criminals manufacture these products using potentially dangerous and poisonous ingredients, for their own gain. Ingesting tablets or substances from unknown sources can be potentially fatal or lead to an overdose.”