A lab test of a purple substance seized during an investigation in June 2020 has been identified as a dangerous synthetic opioid not seen before by DRPS Drug Enforcement Unit.
An analysis of the purple substance seized in the investigation came back as a mixture of fentanyl and isotonitazene, a synthetic opioid as dangerous as fentanyl and 100 times more powerful than morphine. It is a prohibited substance in Canada and has been found mixed with other drugs in several overdose deaths in North America. Like fentanyl, a small amount can trigger a near-instant overdose, police said.
On June 16, officers were called to a parking lot at a plaza on Westney Road and Kingston Road in Ajax. A 36-year-old Ajax male drove into the back of a parked car and showed obvious signs of impairment. Officers arrived and discovered what appeared to be a small baggie of purple heroin in the vehicle, which was sent off to the lab for testing, police said.
The male was taken to hospital and blood samples later came back confirming the presence of fentanyl in his system. This led to a charge of Impaired Operation. The male recovered and no other injuries were reported.
Members of the DEU have not encountered isotonitazene until this incident. They would like to advise the community of the presence of this drug and how dangerous it can be. To learn more about opioid addiction and how to protect yourself from overdosing, visit the Durham Health Department website.
Anyone with new information about this drug in Durham Region is asked to contact the DEU at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 5802.
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