Latest news with #MarcoAntonio
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Edmonton police seize synthetic opioids disguised as Xanax
Edmonton police have seized hundreds of counterfeit pills containing a potent synthetic opioid that were made to resemble the prescription drug 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@ 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
a day ago
- Edmonton Journal
Edmonton police seize synthetic opioids disguised as Xanax
Edmonton police have seized hundreds of counterfeit pills containing a potent synthetic opioid that were made to resemble the prescription drug Xanax. Article content 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. Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content Police estimate the street value of the seized drugs at nearly $5,000. No arrests have been made. Article content Article content '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. Article content '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.' Article content 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. Article content cnguyen@ Article content
