Gatineau police bust alleged fentanyl traffickers

Gatineau police arrested and charged two alleged fentanyl traffickers during a bust on Thursday night near Bay Park.

Much of Rue Saint-Antoine was closed as the police operation took place at a three-unit home, which was evacuated. A Taser-type conducted energy weapon, 20 grams of powdered fentanyl, cell phones and cash were seized by police.

"The quantity seized, we could say 'only' 20 grams, but [we can] count in milligrams a dose that could be fatal," said Gatineau police spokesman Sgt. J-P LeMay.

"So considering that, 20 grams is a big quantity."

Quebec provincial police assisted Gatineau police during the operation and initially told Radio-Canada that a fentanyl lab was being dismantled.

Gatineau police later clarified that lab dismantling specialists were on hand in case they encountered any toxic materials, including "volatile" fentanyl powder.

A 31-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman are facing drug trafficking, drug possession and weapon possession charges.

Fentanyl is a potent opioid causing problems across much of the country.

Earlier this week, Ontario's coroner's office revealed that the number of deaths from fentanyl overdoses have skyrocketed in the province.

LeMay said Gatineau police have seized fentanyl before, but it was "odd" to find powdered fentanyl meant for the Ottawa-Gatineau area.