Latest news with #SocialSharingRCMP
CBC
10-04-2025
- Health
- CBC
Fort St. John RCMP report 3 possible overdose deaths as new toxic drug circulates in region
Social Sharing RCMP in Fort St. John, B.C., have issued a warning after three people died of apparent overdoses in a single week. The police force says between April 3 and 9, officers "were called to the scene of three sudden deaths where the cause was believed to be consistent with an opioid overdose" in the community of approximately 21,000 people. At the same time, police say, they have come across counterfeit Oxycodone tablets containing the synthetic opioid isotonitazene, also known as sotonitazene or nitazene, which they describe "as potent or more potent than fentanyl." Created in the 1950s as potential pain relievers, the drugs were never approved for clinical use. However, they have emerged within recreational drug supplies in the United States, Canada and European countries since 2019. Scientists have relatively little information about how the human body reacts to nitazenes because the chemicals have never gone through clinical trials that offer a chance to find out. Northern Health issued a public warning about the drug, saying that while it cannot be detected by fentanyl strips, it can be treated using naloxone, though a greater dose may be needed. People who use drugs are reminded not to use alone and to have a plan in case of an overdose.
CBC
07-04-2025
- CBC
Search for missing person launched following earlier landslide near West Kelowna
Social Sharing RCMP say one person is missing following a pair of landslides near West Kelowna last week. On April 1, two landslides, including a massive 90-metre slide, shut down a road north of Lake Okanagan Resort between Vernon and West Kelowna. At the time, no injuries were reported. But on Monday, April 7, West Kelowna RCMP said they were opening a missing person investigation for an individual last seen in the area of the slide. "Police in that area have located unique items associated to the missing person and [Central Okanagan Search and Rescue] will be continuing the search for additional items today or tomorrow morning," it said Monday in a statement. WATCH | Landslides close road between Vernon, West Kelowna: Landslide closes the only direct road between Vernon and West Kelowna 5 days ago Duration 1:44 A debris slide in the central Okanagan has closed off the only direct road running between Vernon and West Kelowna. As Brady Strachan reports, it happened along steep slopes where a wildfire burned trees and vegetation two years ago. Officials say the area of the slide was "significantly impacted" by the 2023 McDougall Creek Wildfire, as "properties located in the post-wildfire areas are subject to a higher risk of potential debris flow runout and upstream diversion.
CBC
18-03-2025
- CBC
18-year-old Quebec man charged with murder in connection with death in Fort Good Hope, N.W.T.
Social Sharing RCMP have charged an 18-year-old from Quebec with murder as part of a homicide investigation in Fort Good Hope, N.W.T., and say the accused is part of the drug trade. RCMP say they were notified late last month by family members who found a 29-year-old man dead in his home. Police said at the time that the death was considered suspicious. Police say they quickly identified a suspect and with the help of RCMP officers in Quebec arrested Sasha Bena, 18, last Thursday in Montreal. Bena has been charged with murder and has been brought back to Yellowknife for court proceedings, police said in a news release. Police also said that their investigation determined that Bena had been in Fort Good Hope "as part of the illicit drug trade." In an email to CBC News on Monday, RCMP said it would be up to Crown prosecutors to decide whether it would be a first- or second-degree murder charge against Bena. RCMP also confirmed Bena was an adult at the time of the alleged offence and therefore his identity is not protected by the Youth Criminal Justice Act. The act protects the identity of accused people and offenders who are 17 years old or younger. "This arrest should serve as warning to those who would come to the territory to commit violence that the RCMP has a long reach and we are committed to bringing violent criminals to justice," said Sgt. Jason Hurley of the N.W.T. RCMP in a news release. He said the homicide is also a "difficult reminder" of how dangerous and exploitative the drug trade is. "Drug traffickers are coming to our communities to take advantage of people's addictions and leave behind nothing but pain and suffering." Police say they continue to investigate, and are asking anyone who recognizes Bena from Fort Good Hope or Norman Wells, N.W.T., to contact them.
CBC
19-02-2025
- CBC
RCMP lay charges against 2 men in connection with Big River First Nation stabbings
Social Sharing RCMP say one of the people they initially identified as a victim in a trio of stabbing incidents on the Big River First Nation this weekend is now a suspect. The stabbings on the First Nation, located approximately 100 kilometres northwest of Prince Albert, were first reported on Saturday. Between approximately 3:50 p.m. and 4:20 p.m. CST on Saturday, Big River RCMP received reports of three separate stabbing incidents, each with a single victim. Police say the first stabbing was reported at 3:50 p.m. CST. A woman was left injured after an altercation between a man and a woman. The second incident was reported at 4 p.m. CST, after a group of people entered a home and stabbed a man. RCMP say the first two victims were taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Police say they received reports of another stabbing at 4:20 p.m. CST and located an injured man at a third residence. That man was transported to hospital by a Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service (STARS) helicopter. In an update provided Tuesday, RCMP say they now believe the third victim, Jacky Lachance of Big River First Nation, is now a suspect in the first two stabbings. He was arrested upon his release from hospital. Jacky Lachance, 25, is now charged with: Two counts of aggravated assault. One count of robbery with a weapon. One count of break and enter. He's scheduled to appear in Prince Albert provincial court on Feb. 18, 2025. RCMP say they are still working to locate 29-year-old Ryan Lachance. He's described as 5'6" and approximately 150 pounds, with a teardrop tattoo under his left eye. Police say Ryan Lachance has been charged with: Two counts of aggravated assault. Two counts of robbery. One count of possession of a weapon with a dangerous purpose. One count of mischief under $5,000. One count break and enter. Two counts of failure to comply with a release order condition. He is also wanted by Big River RCMP in relation to an unrelated aggravated assault from November 2024. While police were responding to the third stabbing incident, they received a report of an attempted robbery in the area of Victoire, Sask., a community located near the First Nation. They determined that a man threatened a driver with a machete before fleeing on foot after failing to steal the vehicle. RCMP say Ryan is considered to be armed and dangerous. They're asking the public to not approach him. Ryan may be in a stolen, black KIA Optima with Saskatchewan license plate 649 NPP. However, his location at this time is unknown. Anyone with information about the location of Ryan Lachance or the KIA Optima is asked to contact police immediately. Information can also be submitted anonymously by contacting Saskatchewan Crimestoppers.
