Police have now identified a substance, that was found alongside over 30 guns at a Pickering home back in September, as the deadly street drug carfentanil.
Durham Regional Police said fire crews responded to a carbon monoxide alarm alert at a residence on Liatris Drive, near Brock and Taunton roads, on Sept. 20.
Firefighters noticed a suspicious substance in the basement and alerted police to investigate further.
While executing a search warrant, officers seized 53 kilograms of the unidentified substance, 33 guns and other prohibited devices, such as overcapacity magazines.
Get breaking National news
Maisum Ansari, 33, of Oshawa was charged with 337 firearm-related offences.
Durham police stated in a press release on Monday that laboratory results from Health Canada confirmed 42 kilograms of the substance was positively identified as carfentanil.
Carfentanil is a synthetic opioid similar to fentanyl, but is 100 times more potent.
Police said the total seizure equals 420,000 doses of carfentanil with a street value estimated at $13 million. It’s believed to be the largest seizure of the drug in the country.
In addition to the firearm-related charges, Ansari now faces a charge of possession of carfentanil for the purpose of trafficking.
Anyone with information is urged to call investigators at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 5802 or anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
-With a file from The Canadian Press.
Comments