NEWS RELEASE
YORK REGIONAL POLICE
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Investigators with the York Regional Police Organized Crime Bureau - Guns, Gangs and Drug Enforcement Unit, are seeking witnesses following the discovery of dumped materials, likely used in the production of synthetic drugs.
On Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2018, York Regional Police were contacted after more than 100 garbage bags were found dumped on a driveway, located on Woodbine Avenue, south of Herald Road in the Town of East Gwillimbury. The bags were emitting a strong chemical smell and there were plastic canisters that were marked corrosive.
Synthetic drug investigators, trained to investigate hazardous materials that may have potentially been used in clandestine drug labs, attended the scene. The contents of the bags are believed to be byproducts of synthetic drug manufacturing.
Investigators are seeking anyone who may have witnessed people dumping what appeared to be garbage in the area, or anyone who may have noticed any suspicious vehicles, to please come forward.
York Regional Police is committed to eradicating clandestine drug laboratories and combating the organized crime groups that run them. The dangers posed by chemicals used in the production of synthetic drugs include fire, explosions, pollution, short and long-term health effects, contamination of homes, as well as hazardous exposure to children, neighbours, law enforcement officers and emergency services personnel. If you locate garbage dumped that smells of chemicals or appears to be dangerous, contact police immediately.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the York Regional Police Guns, Gangs and Drug Enforcement Unit at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7817, or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-tips, leave an anonymous tip online at www.1800222tips.com.
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