RCMP and RNC officers on the west coast of Newfoundland say they have made the largest ever seizure of the drug fentanyl in the province.
They say more than 840 doses of the lethal, illicit drug were found during the search of a home in Steady Brook last week, along with meth, cocaine, stolen I.Ds. and cash.
A resident of that home, 25-year-old Abishake Lohia, who has alleged ties to B.C. street gangs, was arrested and was scheduled to appear in provincial court this afternoon.
On the street, the drug sells for about $40 per “point” or hit, with a total street value in this bust of almost $4,000
It’s also nicknamed bubble gum because of the pinkish dye used to discolour and disguise it.
RCMP Staff Sgt. Dave Emberley was one of the lead investigators on the case.
“In light of a number of recent overdose deaths in our province (due to fentanyl), the seizure of such a large quantity is very concerning,” he said. “The same drugs seized in this investigation will undoubtedly hit the streets in the communities on our west coast and pose significant risk to public safety.”
Dr. Nash Denic, the province’s chief medical examiner, warns Newfoundland and Labrador is catching up to the rest of the country when it comes to fentanyl and other illicit, non-pharmaceutical drugs.
“While last year we finished with nine cases overall of fentanyl-related deaths, we already have 11 this year,” he said. “So the trend is going up and its scary. There is no safe dose.”
The suspect in the case is facing a raft of charges including trafficking and possession of fentanyl, meth and cocaine.