A man and woman were arrested and charged after RCMP seized a large amount of fentanyl from a Beaumont property earlier this week.
On Wednesday, members from the Beaumont and Leduc RCMP detachments searched a residence and vehicles in the Montalet area of Beaumont.
“A search by police resulted in a large quantity of the drug fentanyl being seized, as well as further evidence of drug trafficking,” RCMP said in a media release Thursday night.
Because the investigation is ongoing, Cpl. Pete MacMillan with the Beaumont RCMP couldn’t say exactly how much of the opioid was seized, but added “for a small community, it’s a significant amount.”
Fentanyl is a synthetic opiate narcotic, a prescription drug used primarily for cancer patients in severe pain. It is 50 to 100 times more toxic than morphine.
Heroin, cocaine, oxycodone and other drugs can be cut with fentanyl, in powder, liquid or pill form.
READ MORE: Fentanyl 101: The facts and dangers
Zachary Jerome-Legault and his wife, Simarjeet Jerome-Legault, were both charged with possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking. RCMP said they also face additional criminal charges.
In the first nine months, 193 Albertans have died due to apparent drug overdoses related to fentanyl.