NEWS RELEASE
YORK REGIONAL POLICE
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Investigators with the York Regional Police #3 District Criminal Investigations Bureau have charged 23 people and seized more than 77 grams of fentanyl after recently warning the community about the dangers of the drug following 14 overdose calls and two deaths in the Town of Georgina.
In response to the community concerns, investigators initiated Project Homecoming to combat the distribution of opioids in the community. This project commenced on Oct. 1, 2020, and concluded on Nov. 4, 2020.
Between July 1, 2020 and Sept. 18, 2020, officers responded to an increase in calls related to drug overdoses in the Town of Georgina. Investigators believe that at least two deaths and 14 overdose calls are connected to fentanyl. Officers were also concerned about a very potent blue-coloured fentanyl that was involved in many of these incidents.
Project Homecoming focused investigative efforts on disrupting the trafficking of fentanyl and opioids in the community and as a result:
• Executed five search warrants
• Charged 23 people with drug trafficking and other criminal offences
• Seized more than 77 grams of fentanyl, over 215 fentanyl patches, a large quantity of hydromorphone pills, 21 grams of cocaine, 12 grams of crystal methamphetamine, and more than six kilograms of cannabis
Fentanyl is 100 times more potent than morphine. If mistaken for another less-potent opioid like morphine, heroin or oxycodone, overdoses can easily occur. Depending on how it’s administered, the user may not notice the difference until it’s too late. Like all opioids, overdosing on fentanyl leads to slow, irregular and shallow respirations, pinpoint pupils, muscle rigidity, seizures and unconsciousness leading to coma. Minor effects include dizziness, drowsiness, headache, sleepiness, nausea and vomiting.
Two milligrams of pure fentanyl (the size of about four grains of salt) is enough to kill the average adult. If combined with alcohol and or other drugs, including prescription medications, the risk of a fatal outcome is increased. In addition, treating symptoms of fentanyl require higher doses of the antidote naloxone compared to other opioids.
York Regional Police is committed to combating the distribution of opioids in our community. For more information on how partners from across York Region are working together to reduce opioid harms, read the Opioid Action Plan.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the York Regional Police #3 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 1-866-876-5423, ext.7341, or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-tips, or leave an anonymous tip online.
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