A recent fentanyl seizure in Sarnia is raising concerns for community members and the families of those with substance abuse issues.
During a search of two residences on Devine and Martin Streets, officers found a combined total of 47.27 grams of fentanyl that was pressed into moulds which resembled shapes and cartoon figures.
Det. Sgt. Mike Howell of the Sarnia Police Service’s Vice Unit said the deadly drug typically looks like coarse lava rocks and they've never seen it shaped like this before.
"One person's abuse issues affect everyone that surrounds them," Howell said. "If someone were to possess these in their home and if they have any young children, they could potentially come across these -- not knowing what they are, thinking that they're candies or chocolate and consume them unknowingly, and obviously have fatal consequences."
The fentanyl figures seized were approximately three centimetres by two cm.
In addition to their small shape, Howell said there are concerns about the colour being changed since food colouring is sometimes added to street fentanyl.
Fentanyl cartoon molds. October 2022. (Photo courtesy of Sarnia Police Service)
"It could easily have any type of food colouring… be made into any type of colour without it really adversely affecting the substances contained within. Those could be neon blue or pink to resemble almost like PEZ candies," said Howell. "That's really our concern, why are these drugs being packaged like this? Is it to attempt to conceal the true nature of what that substance is that's being carried around? Or are they attempting to appeal to a younger demographic?"
Howell said to his knowledge, this isn't something that has been seen in other area jurisdictions.
"When I reached out to the Public Prosecution Service, they didn't have any information on candy-like fentanyl that was contained within."
In addition to having an analysis done by Health Canada, Howell said the Canada Border Services Agency did an IONSCAN on the bags which confirmed the presence of fentanyl.
Sarnia Police Chief Derek Davis said when it comes to drug investigations, they take a lot of resources and time, but they do rely on tips from the public. Due to the concerning nature of this seizure, members of the public are encouraged to reach out to investigators with relevant information.
Davis said the concerning prevalence of drugs in Sarnia is having a ripple effect on other crimes as dealers arm themselves with weapons and drug users resort to theft to feed their addictions.
"The other component, of course, is we do hope that when people are charged or convicted of these types of offences that there are court-imposed sanctions that can help us better prevent these types of things from happening again in the future," said Davis. "We always respect the decisions of the court, that's not our job ... From our perspective, if someone is on a release, if someone has a history, then if there are conditions in place that can help us, maybe enforce some of those street enforceable conditions that prevent offences, prevent more victims, prevent more of the same activity, those would be helpful."
