Police in Manitoba are warning the public about counterfeit pills containing heroin and a potent veterinary sedative being packaged as over-the-counter pain medicine.
During a three-month-long investigation, RCMP officers searched two homes in Winnipeg in February after identifying a suspect believed to be trafficking large amounts of cocaine in communities throughout the province.
They say it was at the Winnipeg addresses where approximately 7,000 of the counterfeit pills were confiscated and sent for testing at a lab.
An analysis determined the pills contained a mix of heroin and medetomidine, a tranquillizer used on animals, which police say creates a potent and dangerous drug combination for users.
RCMP also seized cocaine, illicit marijuana, crack cocaine and $87,000 in cash.
A 35-year-old Winnipeg man has been charged with two counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking and possession of proceeds of crime over $5,000.
Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/David Lipnowski
