Edmonton police seize synthetic opioids disguised as Xanax
On June 19, police intercepted a package containing several hundred grey, rectangular pills marked with 'ONAX' on one side and '2' on the other. Although the pills resemble what is commonly known as the opioid-free drug Xanax, testing by Health Canada's drug analysis service confirmed the pills contained isotonitazene, a highly potent synthetic opioid.
Police estimate the street value of the seized drugs at nearly $5,000. No arrests have been made.
'This powerful synthetic opioid, disguised as the prescription drug Xanax, is extremely concerning,' Staff Sgt. Marco Antonio with the EPS drug and gang enforcement section said in a news release.
'Unfortunately, the seizure of these pills is another example of how drug traffickers are manufacturing an array of synthetic opioid variants that can easily be portrayed as other medications, unbeknownst to the consumer.'
Edmonton police are reminding the public that medications not prescribed directly by a medical professional are never safe to ingest and pose significant health and safety risks.
cnguyen@postmedia.com
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