Seizure of counterfeit oxycodone

The Calgary Police Service has charged one man after seizing cash and drugs, including a large number of counterfeit oxycodone pills.

On Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2014, members of the CPS Guns and Gangs Unit concluded an investigation into an alleged drug distribution network.

With the assistance of the RCMP, search warrants were conducted on a vehicle and residence in Chestermere.

As a result of these warrants, officers seized approximately 9,600 80 milligram pills that were suspected to be counterfeit oxycodone, valued at approximately $768,000. Over $3,000 in cash was also located.

The pills were found in a hidden compartment of the vehicle.

Samples of the pills were sent to Health Canada for examination. Investigators have since received confirmation that they contained fentanyl and caffeine.

Brian Thomas HARRINGTON, 29, of Chestermere, has been charged with possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking and possession of property obtained by crime.

Counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl have become increasingly available in various Canadian communities. The presence of fentanyl in these pills increases the risk of overdose among people using them, particularly if they believe they are taking oxycodone.

An alert released by the Canadian Community Epidemiology Network on Drug Use (CCENDU) states that many of the counterfeit drugs found across Canada resemble oxycodone tablets. Some are green and stamped with “CDN” on one side and the number 80 on the other. More information is available in this drug alert.

This is a further reminder that people using illegally-obtained drugs never know what they contain.

There is no safe street drug, and no safe dose of a street drug.

There are absolutely no controls in any illegal drug production and drugs are likely cut with various substances, unknown to the user, which may lead to injury or death.

Anyone with information on counterfeit oxycodone is asked to call the Calgary Police Drug Tip Line at 403-428-8100 or Crime Stoppers anonymously using any of the following methods:

TALK: 1-800-222-8477

TYPE: tttTIPS.com

TEXT: tttTIPS to 274637

Information on a media availability will be sent in a separate advisory.