Deadly fake drugs seized in Burlington, Ancaster raid

Over 2,500 pills recently seized in a drug investigation have tested positive for Protonitazene, say Hamilton Police.

Protonitazene is a potent synthetic opioid that falls under the category of Nitazenes.

Search warrants issued back on Thursday, August 22, 2024 at an Ancaster residence, Burlington property, and motor vehicle resulted in the seizure of a substantial quantity of drugs, firearms, and cash.

Included in the seizure were 2,561 pills believed to be Oxycodone. Due to concerns the pills were counterfeit, samples were sent to Health Canada for rush analysis.

On Thursday (Sept. 12), results of the analysis confirmed the pills contained Protonitazene, a dangerous non-fentanyl synthetic opioid.

Nitazenes, like Protonitazene, are novel opioids known for their potency, which can exceed that of fentanyl, say Hamilton Police.  These counterfeit pills are designed to look like Oxycodone, a much less potent opioid, increasing the risk of accidental overdoses.

“The rise in counterfeit pills containing Nitazenes is alarming,” said Detective Sergeant Steve Bereziuk. “These substances present a serious danger to the community, as users may unknowingly consume drugs far more potent than they realize.”

This seizure marks an increasing trend in the number of counterfeit pills encountered by the Hamilton Police Major Drugs and Gangs Unit:

• June 2023: 1,500 counterfeit Oxycodone pills analyzed as Metonitazene
• February 2024: 280 counterfeit Oxycodone pills analyzed as Protonitazene
• March 2024: 2,003 counterfeit Oxycodone pills analyzed as Metonitazene
• August 2024: 2,561 counterfeit Oxycodone pills analyzed as Protonitazene

Hamilton Police say they are continuing to focus on reducing the presence of these counterfeit opioids in the community.

Anyone with information related to this investigation is urged to contact Detective Sergeant Bereziuk at 905-546-3887.

Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at http://www.crimestoppershamilton.com.