Latest news with #AlbertaRCMP
Calgary Herald
3 days ago
- Calgary Herald
Alberta RCMP warns of deadly fake Xanax pills after death of 16-year-old in Edmonton area
Article content Alberta RCMP has issued a province-wide warning about a potentially deadly supply of illegal opiates disguised as the anti-anxiety medication Xanax, after the death of a 16-year-old male in the Edmonton area. Article content The teen's death is under investigation, and while the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will ultimately determine the cause, RCMP said the circumstances surrounding the case prompted the force to act swiftly. Article content Article content Article content 'Some of this substance was located with the deceased,' said Cpl. Troy Savinkoff, acting Alberta RCMP media relations manager. 'It's enough for RCMP to strongly believe that this was a strong potential cause of the death, and it's enough for us to have concern, to want to immediately communicate our concern.' Article content RCMP believe the counterfeit pill involved in the teen's death was obtained in Edmonton, and that the drug 'could very quickly make its way across the province.' Article content According to RCMP, the counterfeit pills mimic the appearance of Xanax but are grey instead of white, and they contain isotonitazene, a highly potent synthetic opioid which Savinkoff noted as 'a great concern' because it's 'very easy to overdose and cause death.' Article content Article content Savinkoff said the public alert was necessary to prevent further harm. Article content Article content 'Parents, relatives, and other community members need to share this information as much as possible, and especially so now that school is out,' he said. Article content Article content The Alberta RCMP is urging the public to avoid taking any medication not prescribed by a licensed pharmacist. Article content 'It's a given that drugs should not be obtained if you don't have a prescription. Drugs are illegal for a reason. They're dangerous,' Savinkoff said. 'And if you don't have a prescription and you don't know where the drug came from, there's always going to be risk.' Article content
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Alberta RCMP warns of deadly counterfeit pills after death of 16-year-old in Edmonton area
Alberta RCMP has issued a province-wide warning about a potentially deadly supply of illegal opiates disguised as the anti-anxiety medication Xanax, after the death of a 16-year-old male in the Edmonton area. The teen's death is under investigation, and while the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will ultimately determine the cause, RCMP said the circumstances surrounding the case prompted the force to act swiftly. 'Some of this substance was located with the deceased,' said Cpl. Troy Savinkoff, acting Alberta RCMP media relations manager. 'It's enough for RCMP to strongly believe that this was a strong potential cause of the death, and it's enough for us to have concern, to want to immediately communicate our concern.' RCMP believe the counterfeit pill involved in the teen's death was obtained in Edmonton, and that the drug 'could very quickly make its way across the province.' According to RCMP, the counterfeit pills mimic the appearance of Xanax but are grey instead of white, and they contain isotonitazene, a highly potent synthetic opioid which Savinkoff noted as 'a great concern' because it's 'very easy to overdose and cause death.' The pills are rectangular, have the word ONAX stamped on one side, and a vertical '2' on the other. Savinkoff said the public alert was necessary to prevent further harm. 'Parents, relatives, and other community members need to share this information as much as possible, and especially so now that school is out,' he said. The Alberta RCMP is urging the public to avoid taking any medication not prescribed by a licensed pharmacist. 'It's a given that drugs should not be obtained if you don't have a prescription. Drugs are illegal for a reason. They're dangerous,' Savinkoff said. 'And if you don't have a prescription and you don't know where the drug came from, there's always going to be risk.' Anyone who comes across pills matching the description or has information about replica prescriptions is asked to contact local police or call 310-RCMP. cnguyen@ Related Alberta Sheriffs shut down long-term drug house in south Edmonton Two arrested, $22,000 in illegal drugs seized after traffic stop: EPS You can also support our journalism by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribers gain unlimited access to The Edmonton Journal, Edmonton Sun, National Post, and 13 other Canadian news sites. The Edmonton Journal | The Edmonton Sun
Edmonton Journal
4 days ago
- Edmonton Journal
Alberta RCMP warns of deadly counterfeit pills after death of 16-year-old in Edmonton area
Alberta RCMP has issued a province-wide warning about a potentially deadly supply of illegal opiates disguised as the anti-anxiety medication Xanax, after the death of a 16-year-old male in the Edmonton area. Article content The teen's death is under investigation, and while the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will ultimately determine the cause, RCMP said the circumstances surrounding the case prompted the force to act swiftly. Article content Article content Article content 'Some of this substance was located with the deceased,' said Cpl. Troy Savinkoff, acting Alberta RCMP media relations manager. 'It's enough for RCMP to strongly believe that this was a strong potential cause of the death, and it's enough for us to have concern, to want to immediately communicate our concern.' Article content RCMP believe the counterfeit pill involved in the teen's death was obtained in Edmonton, and that the drug 'could very quickly make its way across the province.' Article content According to RCMP, the counterfeit pills mimic the appearance of Xanax but are grey instead of white, and they contain isotonitazene, a highly potent synthetic opioid which Savinkoff noted as 'a great concern' because it's 'very easy to overdose and cause death.' Article content The pills are rectangular, have the word ONAX stamped on one side, and a vertical '2' on the other. Article content Article content Article content Article content Savinkoff said the public alert was necessary to prevent further harm. Article content Article content 'Parents, relatives, and other community members need to share this information as much as possible, and especially so now that school is out,' he said. Article content Article content The Alberta RCMP is urging the public to avoid taking any medication not prescribed by a licensed pharmacist. Article content 'It's a given that drugs should not be obtained if you don't have a prescription. Drugs are illegal for a reason. They're dangerous,' Savinkoff said. 'And if you don't have a prescription and you don't know where the drug came from, there's always going to be risk.' Article content
Global News
5 days ago
- Global News
Alberta RCMP issue warning about opioid-laced drugs after teenager's death
Alberta RCMP have issued a warning to parents, children and other members of the public about some potentially deadly counterfeit pills that may be circulating in the province. The pills resemble a commonly used drug to treat anxiety, but may be laced with a potentially fatal dose of opioids. The warning comes following the death of a 16-year-old that police believe may be related to ingestion of the imitation pills. The legal medicine, Xanax, is normally available by prescription. However, investigators have identified replica pills laced with the highly potent opioid isotonitazene. Investigators have also released photos of the counterfeit pills to the public. 'Parents, relatives, and other community members need to share this information as much as possible, and especially so now that school is out,' RCMP public information officer Cpl. Troy Savinkoff said. 'It is important that the public knows the extreme danger that this dangerous replica can pose.' Story continues below advertisement Investigators are working to identify the source of the deadly drugs and stop their distribution. Get weekly health news Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday. Sign up for weekly health newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy In the meantime, Savinkoff said it is important that members of the community see the photos of the drugs, share them with their kids, friends and relatives and 'let them know that these pills could kill them.' The RCMP have released photos of the counterfeit drugs in an attempt to inform the public about 'the extreme danger' they pose. Alberta RCMP The pills are described as grey, rectangular, and stamped with the letters ONAX on one side and the number '2' on the other. Savinkoff said prescriptions should only be purchased from a reputable, licensed pharmacist. On Monday the Edmonton police also issued a warning about counterfeit Xanax pills, following a seizure in June of similar pills laced with the same highly potent opioid isotonitazene. The street value of those drugs was estimated at nearly $5,000. Story continues below advertisement On Monday, Edmonton Police also issued a warning about fake pills made to look like the anti-anxiety drug Xanax but contain a potentially deadly dose of the opioid isotonitazene. Edmonton Police Service The RCMP is asking anyone with information about the counterfeit drugs to call their local police department or the RCMP at 310-7267 (RCMP).
Global News
11-07-2025
- Global News
Edmonton father and son charged with human trafficking
The Alberta RCMP have charged two men from Edmonton with human trafficking. Police allege the victims were working up to 90 hours a week and weren't properly paid. Mounties say a year-long investigation revealed four victims who were employees at rural businesses owned by a father and son, who own a motel in Fox Creek and a gas station in Calmar. An investigation began in July 2024, after the Alberta RCMP received a tip from Alberta Employment Standards Office. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The investigation revealed that some of the temporary foreign workers were working 80 to 90 hours a week, without the proper compensation. False schedules were submitted to employment standards. Police say the father and son also underpaid the victims to the tune of $160,000. Yeon Soo Lee, 55, and his son, Joo Hyup Lee, 26, were both charged with human trafficking and material benefits from trafficking. Story continues below advertisement Watch the video above for more.
