**TIMMINS POLICE SERVICE NEWS RELEASE**

The Timmins Police Service is issuing a Public Safety Advisory based on recent developments in their investigations resulting in the recent seizure of controlled substances.
On July 18th of this year, the Timmins Police Service charged a number of persons stemming from a comprehensive drug investigation which culminated with the arrests of ten suspects.
The Timmins Police Service – Drug Enforcement Section officers, working in collaboration with the Timmins Police – Criminal Investigations Division, engaged in a drug related investigation which led to the execution of search warrants at 3 Timmins residences during the late afternoon hours of July 18th.
A total of ten persons have been arrested, in regards to these matters.

The search warrants yielded the seizure of:
– a significant quantity of Fentanyl (“purp”) – Methamphetamine Tablets – Cocaine – Over $15,000 in Canadian currency – a 10 mm handgun – a prohibited weapon – an assortment of drug paraphernalia
Search warrants had been executed in an orchestrated manner at a Birch Street South address, an Elm Street South address, and a Evans Street (South Porcupine) residence.
As a standard practice in any investigation of this nature, the seized substances were sent away for laboratory analysis. Based on the analytical results received, the Timmins Police can confirm that the substances seized have been dutifully analyzed and identified as carfentanil based substances.

These findings are reflected in the Health Canada Certificates of Analyst related to the three warrants executed by the Timmins Police Service on July 18th
The Timmins Police Service is advising that the inherent dangers attached to the illicit usage or experimentation with such substances cannot be underestimated.
The link between the usage of these substances and the direct threat to a person’s wellbeing is real, tangible, and potent.

The Porcupine Health Unit urges community members to be aware of the risks of any drug use, and especially the toxicity of carfentanil. “Overdose can affect anyone. It can take just one time for a tragic outcome”, says Dr. Lianne Catton, the Porcupine Health Unit’s Medical Officer of Health. We encourage everyone to be able to identify an overdose, and know how to respond to save a life.

Anyone can access naloxone free of charge at health unit offices, pharmacies and partner agencies. Naloxone is a life-saving medication for opioid overdoses. The Porcupine Health Unit team is available to talk to anyone with questions or concerns. Information on overdose and the use of naloxone is available at https://phu.fyi/opioids (EN) https://phu.fyi/opioides (FR).

The Timmins Police Service shares mutual concern about the presence of these substances with its community partners such as, but not limited to, the Porcupine Health Unit & other members of the Timmins and Area Drug Strategy Committee.
The Timmins Police Service continues to actively investigate all matters linked to the illicit distribution and trafficking of controlled substances with a priority placed on opioid or carfentanil based substances as these pose the greater threat to public safety.

Anyone with viable information regarding the distribution or trafficking is such substances is asked to call the Timmins Police Service at 705-264-1201 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or use www.P3tips.com

Filed under: Local News