Health Canada has informed Barrie police of a dangerous new substance that is in the city based on information from an arrest that occurred late last year.
As a result of a drug seizure from Dec. 10, 2020 that saw a 45-year-old Innisfil woman arrested on drug and weapon charges, Barrie police learned that the drugs have tested positive for Furanyl UF-17, a substance which has not been seen here before.
It also contained Etizolam, a depressant, which when mixed with fentanyl can result in an overdose and death.
Barrie police communications co-ordinator Peter Leon said situation is serious and he hopes the warning is heeded.
“There are people in our community who are utilizing illicit drugs, and while they know the risk of doing so, we want them to be extra cautious,” Leon told BarrieToday. “This is not unlike the purple heroin situation we encountered a number of years ago, where a new substance hit our streets and many were not sure what was in it.”
The drugs seized were a white powdery substance, thought to be cocaine and some heroin.
As is the case with a drug seizure, Leon said the contents were shipped to Health Canada to determine what they contained and the results had just come back.
For further information, people are asked to contact the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit.
