Kingston Police execute largest seizure of carfentanil, arrest four

Kingston Police Street Crime Unit, Drug Enforcement Unit and the Emergency Response Unit, executed warrants and arrested four parties in connections with drug trafficking and illegal weapons possession.

According to a release from Kingston Police dated Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021, in late January 2021, members of the Kingston Police Street Crime Unit began an investigation into drug trafficking and illegal weapons possession in the Rideau Heights neighbourhood in Kingston’s north end. Police say two properties were identified in this investigation, both of which were in close proximity to two elementary schools.

Two Controlled Drugs and Substances Act search warrants, as well as a Criminal Code search warrant were issued on Wednesday, Feb 10, 2021 for these two addresses as well as an involved vehicle.

On the same date, Kingston Police Street Crime Unit members, along with the assistance of the Drug Enforcement Unit and the Emergency Response Unit, executed these search warrants. 

Both individuals named in the warrants were located inside the residence identified as the primary location for the drug trafficking activity, according to the release. Additionally, two small children were located inside the home at the time of warrant execution. These children were located within feet of a bag of illegal drugs that included both fentanyl, and the more lethal drug, carfentanil, Kingston Police say.

The arrested parties at this location were charged with five drug trafficking related charges, as well as possession of proceeds of crime. One additional charge was laid on one of the parties in relation to a prohibited weapon found inside the residence.

At the second location, which was believed to be a ‘stash house’, two more parties were located and arrested with a quantity of fentanyl, according to the release. These parties were charged with possession of a schedule I substance (fentanyl).

Kingston Police say the following items were seized in relation to the execution of the three warrants: various quantities of fentanyl, carfentanil, cocaine, crystal methamphetamine, Xanax pills, codeine pills, $7045.00 in Canadian currency, drug packaging, six replica firearms and one prohibited weapon. The street value of the drugs seized was approximately $30,000. 

This is believed to be Kingston Police’s largest seizure of carfentanil. According to the release, carfentanil is 100 times more potent than fentanyl, and it is believed that the carfentanil was being used to make the fentanyl more potent therefore making it even more lethal.