London police issue warning after suspected purple fentanyl seized

A public warning has been issued after police seized a purple substance that may contain the deadly opioid fentanyl.

London police were called to a parking lot in the area of Highbury Avenue and Cheapside Street at about 9 a.m. Monday following a report of two males sleeping inside a vehicle. Upon arrival, police say they located the suspect vehicle with two men inside, along with illegal narcotics in plain view.

The narcotics seized included 11.5 grams of fentanyl powder, 28 grams of cocaine and 3 grams of a substance suspected to be 'purple fentanyl'. The 'play dough' like substance has been sent to a lab to be tested for narcotics.

Police in neighbouring jurisdictions have reported seizing a similar substance that contain a mixture of heroin and fentanyl, or the more deadly opioid carfentanil.

"The danger in coming into contact with fentanyl, or the stronger carfentanyl, is the strong potential for overdose," Cst. Josh Kenny told CBC News.

"It takes a very, very small amount of those substances to harm somebody."

London police are warning the public to avoid contact with these substances as they can lead to an overdose via inhalation, ingestion, and injection.

"If anyone sees something similar that they suspect might be this 'purple fentanyl', or anything that they might suspect is fentanyl or carfentanyl, I would not touch it," said Cst. Kenny.

"Call London police and we'll deal with it appropriately."

Two men are facing charges in relation to Monday's incident, including two counts of possession of a schedule 1 substance for the purpose of trafficking. The driver of the vehicle is also facing a charge of care and control of a motor vehicle while ability impaired by drugs.

Anyone with information related to the case is being asked to call the London Police Service at 519-661-5670, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Information can also be sent in on-line anonymously to www.londoncrimestoppers.com.