NAPS – Carfentanil Officer Safety Bulletin, April 6, 2018

The Nishnawbe Aski Police Service (NAPS) are issuing a warning regarding the distribution of illegal street drugs, specifically, Percocet Pills (Oxycodone).

A significant quantity of drugs held out to be Percocet Pills were recently seized by Nishnawbe Aski Police. Police believe these pills were destined to be sold in the remote Northern First Nation Communities. Once analyzed from Health Canada these pills were found to contain Carfentanil and Caffeine. Carfentanil is a synthetic opioid approximately 10,000 times more potent than Morphine and 100 times more potent than Fentanyl.

The presence of Carfentanil in illicit drug markets is cause for concern, as the relative strength of this drug could lead to an increase in overdoses and overdose-related deaths, even among opioid-tolerant users. The presence of Carfentanil poses a significant threat to first responders and law enforcement personnel who may come in contact with this substance.

In any situation where any Fentanyl-related substance, such as Carfentanil, might be present, officers should carefully follow safety protocols to avoid accidental exposure and are to contact the Nishnawbe Aski Police – Drug Enforcement Unit immediately. Safe handling procedures must be followed at times.

Please contact: Detective Staff Sergeant Brad Duce
Nishnawbe Aski Police – Intelligence Unit
807-620-2677 or brad.duce@naps.ca.