RCMP say lab analysis of drugs seized in St. John’s in December has confirmed the substance to be a mix of fentanyl and a highly-potent type of horse tranquilizer, known as medetomidine.

Federal RCMP and the RNC’s weapons and drug enforcement unit arrested a 39-year-old man for drug trafficking at a commercial parking lot on Frecker Drive on December 17th.

A search of the man’s vehicle resulted in the seizure of cocaine, oxycodone, methylphenidate, a quantity of suspected fentanyl and a sawed-off shotgun.

The subsequent lab report received this week confirmed that the substance seized was a mix of fentanyl and horse tranquilizer, something police call a “lethal combination.”

Joseph Reardon is facing a long list of drug and weapons charges, plus possession for the purpose of trafficking and breaches of court orders.

The charges include:

Possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine;
Possession for the purpose of trafficking oxycodone;
Possession for the purpose of trafficking methylphenidate;
Possession for the purpose of trafficking fentanyl;
Careless use of a firearm X 2;
Unsafe storage of a firearm X 2;
Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose X 4;
Unauthorized possession of a firearm;
Unauthorized possession of a firearm knowing its possession is unauthorized;
Possession of a prohibited firearm;
Possession of a weapon obtained by crime;
Removing a serial number from a firearm;
Possession of a firearm and ammunition while prohibited X 6;
And breach of a court release order X 5.

Reardon is due in provincial court to answer to the charges on February 17th.

Information on how to get a free naloxone kit can be found online or by calling 811.