Police in Windsor, Ont., say they found “blue” crystal methamphetamine during a record-setting drug seizure that also turned up “bootleg” fentanyl in the city for the first time and other prescription drugs worth more than $180,000.
Windsor police launched an investigation focused on the trafficking of crystal meth and fentanyl in the city in September. Police said an undercover officer successfully infiltrated street and mid-level drug dealers to purchase illegal drugs.
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Four search warrants were executed across Windsor during the course of the 12-week investigation and police seized 850 grams of crystal meth worth an estimated $170,000.
“This is the biggest seizure of crystal meth that we’ve ever had during an investigation,” Const. Andrew Drouillard told Global News Friday, adding that the blue crystal meth could have been an attempt by dealers to mimic the signature blue-coloured drug from the popular TV series Breaking Bad.
“I believe they just added a dye to it, probably just a little bit of a marketing ploy to have theirs seem like more of a unique product.”
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In addition to crystal meth, Drouillard said the officer purchased fentanyl and smaller amounts of heroin, oxycodone and hydromorphone.
The total number of drugs seized are as follows:
- 850 grams of methamphetamine
- Eight fentanyl patches
- Six grams of fentanyl powder
- 105 oxycodone pills
- 3.6 grams of cocaine
- 0.3 grams of crack Cocaine
- 129 MDMA pills
- 0.1 grams of heroin
- Seven hydromorphone pills
- 11.7 grams of marijuana
“The main focus of the investigation was just to get a better sense of the drug scene in Windsor,” Drouillard said.
“What we found out is that meth has taken over as the hard drug of choice in the city and it’s obviously a public health and safety concern, that along with the fentanyl.”
Drouillard said the possible discovery of “bootleg” powdered form of fentanyl for the first time in Windsor is “alarming.” Investigators are currently waiting on test results from Health Canada’s Drug Analysis Service to confirm the presence of the synthetic form of the drug.
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The Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police issued a warning last month on the increased presence of “bootleg” fentanyl in the province amid a “growing opioid crisis.”
Fentanyl was a factor in 165 opioid-related overdose deaths across the province in 2015, according to the Chief Coroner for Ontario.
“We’ve solidified that it has arrived here and it’s potentially fatal because of the potency,” Drouillard said. “So obviously it’s very dangerous.”
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Police said the drug seizures reflect a “serious public health and safety issue” and they shared the information in an effort to educate the public on the dangers the community is facing.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Windsor Police at 519-255-6700 ext. 4361 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 519-258-8477 (TIPS).