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Police warn Albertans about deadly batch of heroin

Seized heroin was found to be laced with lethal amounts of carfentanil
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Police are warning the public that a deadly batch of heroin is being sold in the province.

It’s been laced with lethal carfentanil — a version of the synthetic opioid fentanyl that’s approx. One hundred times stronger. Fentanyl is, itself, about 100 times more powerful than morphine.

The RCMP is warning Albertans that carfentanil is extremely harmful — even the tiniest of particles could prove lethal — even a 20micro grams dose.

Edmonton RCMP has been involved in an ongoing drug investigation in Strathcona County since October. Some quantities of heroin that were seized during the investigation were sent to a Health Canada lab and found to contain the extremely dangerous and potentially lethal drug, carfentanil.

Police caution that illegal drugs containing opioids such as carfentanil and heroin, are not tested during the manufacturing process and do the meet any safety standards. The conditions under which they are made are not controlled and may be contaminated with other substances and drugs.

Police warn these products can lead to serious injuries and death.

RCMP are circulating this information for public awareness and safety. The investigation in Strathcona County is ongoing and further details will be provided when available.