Murray Wood: Who's hot... and who's not
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RCMP officers in the Punnichy area arrested a man who was allegedly carrying 34 grams of fentanyl on the same day a dangerous drug alert was issued for the region.
According to the Saskatchewan RCMP, officers arrested the man while responding to a report of a break-in at a garage at a home in Raymore on Wednesday morning. Along with the fentanyl, police said the man was carrying a set of polymer knuckles.
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He’s now facing charges of possession of fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, possession of a concealed weapon, failing to comply with a probation order and failing to comply with conditions of an undertaking.
“While we cannot confirm any connection between this incident and the recent drug alert issued for the Punnichy area, it is reassuring that investigators were able to locate and remove harmful substances from our community,” RCMP Staff Sgt. Nathan Rondeau, commander of the RCMP’s Punnichy detachment, said in a statement.
“The detachment remains committed to working alongside communities to help identify drug activity and combat the presence of dangerous drugs in the area. We are grateful for the community’s continued ongoing support and the information shared, which plays a vital role in helping keep our communities safe.”
According to the drug alert issued by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health on Wednesday, RCMP officers in the area responded to five overdoses between Jan. 13 and Wednesday, including one fatality.
“Fentanyl was suspected,” the ministry noted in a statement.
While using illegal drugs always poses serious health risks, the ministry said some the danger can be “reduced, but not eliminated” by getting a take-home naloxone kit, calling the National Overdose Response Service and using drug-checking supplies or services.
“The Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act protects individuals who seek emergency help during an overdose or who witness an overdose,” the ministry noted.
“If someone is overdosing, please call 911 immediately.”
The alert will remain in effect until noon on Feb. 4.
Punnichy is located about 125 kilometres northeast of Regina, along Highway 15.
