Canadian police Operation Rotherham seizes record $6.5M in fentanyl

By Barry Ellsworth

TRENTON, Canada (AA) - A record 46 kilograms (100 pounds) of fentanyl was seized in the Canadian-US border city of Windsor, Ontario, Canadian police said Wednesday.

“The fentanyl seized was enough for approximately 460,000 street-level doses — an amount capable of taking the lives of a moderately-sized city,” Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said in a statement on US social media platform Facebook.

OPP said the almost year-long investigation known as Operation Rotherham involved several police departments, including Windsor police.

“The prevalence of this dangerous drug is a public safety issue that law enforcement takes seriously, and we will work together across jurisdictions … to dismantle and disrupt those who choose to engage in trafficking this deadly drug,” OPP Chief Superintendent Mike Stoddart said in a statement.

The value of the fentanyl was estimated at CAN$6.5 million ($4.6 million). It is the largest fentanyl bust in provincial history. Other drugs and items -- cocaine, heroin, guns, cash and drug paraphernalia -- were also seized, said police.

The investigation began in September and involved search warrants at domiciles and vehicles in Windsor.

“(Police) identified two primary members of a drug-trafficking network – both with ties to known criminal organizations,” said OPP. On Sept. 25, search warrants were executed and the evidence gathered led to the arrests. The names of the accused were not released. Police are now trying to track the source of the drugs.

The bust follows another large seizure of the drug.

“Just months ago, the OPP announced the largest seizure of fentanyl in our history,” said Stoddart. “Today, Project Rotherham surpasses that seizure by several kilograms.”