FORT FRANCES, Ont. – Ontario Provincial Police seized about $8,000 worth of fentanyl as part of an investigation following a rash of overdoses in the Fort Frances area, which police suspect are related to the drug.
OPP officers executed a search warrant at a residence on Third Street West in Fort Frances on July 16. The force reports seven people in the town and surrounding First Nations overdosed on what they suspect to be fentanyl, also known as yellow down, in the 24 hours leading up to the investigation.
Police also seized drug paraphernalia and an undisclosed amount of Canadian currency.
Police arrested two Fort Frances residents as part of the investigation. A man, 47, faces charges for trafficking and possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime under $5,000, and is set to appear in court in Fort Frances on Sept. 28.
A woman, 58, faces the same charges and will appear in court on Aug. 17.
Police are asking anyone with knowledge about the trafficking of fentanyl in the Rainy River district to contact OPP at 1-888-310-1122, or submit a tip anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.p3tips.com.
