RCMP are warning of an increased presence of nitazene in Newfoundland and Labrador. Mounties say the drug is being sold as Oxycontin.

The pills are sold as small, round pills and are blue in colour.

According to RCMP, the opioid is powerful and highly toxic, saying it can be lethal.

The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction estimates some nitazenes can be several times more potent than fentanyl.

They say the use of nitazene is on the rise.