Police in Peterborough, Ont., say a man is facing drugs following a drug investigation which was launched following a sudden drug overdose death in October 2022.
According to the Peterborough Police Service, in October officers responded to a sudden death call. Details on the incident were not provided.
Police say their investigation led to members of the investigative services and the emergency response team to execute a search warrant at a residence in the city on Tuesday. Officers say they seized a loaded handgun, drugs, and cash.
Jameel Jackson, 27, of Peterborough, was charged with trafficking fentanyl, possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, possession of a loaded prohibited or restricted firearm, and possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime under $5,000.
“Peterborough Police are releasing the name of the accused in this case as a matter of public safety,” police stated Wednesday.
Jackson was held in custody and is scheduled to appear in court in Peterborough on Wednesday.
According to Peterborough Public Health’s opioid harms portal, 59 people died from suspected drug poisonings in 2022 — approximately one person every seven days. The month of October had seven deaths.
Over the 12 months, there were 539 emergency department visits for drug poisonings at the Peterborough Regional Health Centre, the portal reports.