Sarnia police say the illegal drug landscape has become more deadly than ever with the introduction of powdered fentanyl and carfentanyl.
Constable John Sottosanti says they have confirmed there is potentially lethal powdered fentanyl in the city.
"On April 6, vice officers executed a search warrant at a residence in the 800-block of Exmouth St.," says Sottosanti. "At the time, officers located a quantity of crystal methamphetamine, cocaine and what was believed to be heroin. Since then, a report has been received from Health Canada confirming to Sarnia police that the heroin was actually fentanyl powder."
Sottosanti says fentanyl powder is 100 times more potent than morphine and 40 times more potent than heroin.
"We use various masks and gloves to help protect us from any sort of contamination because just merely touching the drug itself, it can be transferred on to our skin, into our blood system and death can be immediate," he says.
Five people were charged in connection with the April drug bust that resulted in $68,000 worth of drugs being seized along with $11,000 in cash.
Constable Sottosanti says people buying illegal drugs including heroin and marijuana don't realize they could be laced with deadly doses of powdered fentanyl.
While Sarnia police certainly don't condone the use of illegal drugs, they warn users to be wary about what they're buying and who they're buying from.
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