A chemical described as toxic and dangerous has been identified in counterfeit Oxycodone tablets seized by the RCMP south of Kindersley.
RCMP Kindersley detachment reported they were advised by Health Canada Drug Analysis Centre that traces of the substance known as W-18 were found in one of the three Oxycodone tablets that were seized last April.
Subsequent testing identified the traces of W-18, which police describe as a synthetic research chemical that is sometimes used as a cutting agent for opioids such as fentanyl.
Health authorities around Kindersley have been notified of the test results.
According to police, W-18 can be lethal even if taken in extremely small doses.
While it is not currently illegal under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, Health Canada has stated on its website that it is moving to add W-18 and related compounds to Schedule 1 of the CDSA.
The samples had been seized during a traffic stop in April 2016 on Highway 21 south of Kindersley, in which two individuals were arrested. Other drugs seized included fentanyl, cocaine, ecstasy and heroin.
Trehia May Stevenson of Medicine Hat, Alta. pleaded guilty in December to possession for the purpose of trafficking in connection to this case and was given a 16-month sentence. The other suspect arrested, Thomas M. LaClare of Kindersley, is scheduled for trial in February on two counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking and two counts of possession along with a number of Criminal Code offences.
The RCMP is warning the public of the dangers of consuming illicit and unknown drugs. They note street drugs are often represented as one thing while being something completely different, and mixing various agents can create a deadly combination.
