Police fear fentanyl use growing in Gatineau

Gatineau police report that drug use is on the rise in Gatineau, particularly cocaine and opioids such as heroin and fentanyl. According to SPVG’s Officer Andrée East, “We have found several types of opioids on our territory during searches, including fentanyl. There is definitely a market for it in Gatineau. Like any type of drug, the popularity of substances comes and goes. The SPVG is always looking at what is happening elsewhere in Canada to assess the possibility that some emerging drugs can migrate to Quebec.”

In 2014, police seized 759.1 grams of cocaine, but in 2016, as of September 27, 4,857.1 grams had been seized. In 2014, no heroin or even marijuana was seized, but as of the same date in 2016, police had seized 54.3 grams of heroin and 691 marijuana seeds. Likewise, fentanyl use has exploded. No fentanyl pills were seized in 2014, only one in 2015, but 1,331 were seized by September 27, 2016.

 

On February 16, 2017, Ottawa police arrested twelve people believed to be in a distribution network for fentanyl and seized weapons, including assault rifles, ammunition, and brass knuckles.

According to one newspaper article, “Fentanyl is up to 50 times more powerful than heroin, making even relatively small amounts potentially lethal.”

Dogs in drug interception

The RCMP is now training its 139 narcotics dogs to sniff out fentanyl pills, but the RCMP’s only local office, the Ottawa
headquarters, has no dogs. 

Gatineau police have a K9 unit, comprised of two German Shepherds. These dogs also search for missing people and fleeing suspects, help apprehend suspects, find firearms, protect patrol officers, and appear in public relations events. The two dogs have assisted police on drug busts, but according to Officer East, “Our K9 unit can detect drugs, but not (specifically) fentanyl.”