Hamilton police confirms that over 2,500 counterfeit Oxycodone pills were seized in August from multiple search warrants.
Officers say they executed search warrants on Aug. 22 at an Ancaster home, a rural Burling property and at a motor vehicle.
The searches resulted in the seizure of a substantial number of drugs, firearms and cash.
Police says that there were 2,561 pills believed to be Oxycodone among the items seized.
Detectives then had samples of the pills tested, concerned that the pills were fake.
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The department says the results of the testing returned Thursday, confirming that the pills were filled with Protonitazene – a dangerous non-fentanyl synthetic opioid.
According to Hamilton police, Nitazenes, like Protonitazene, are novel opioids known for their potency, which can be stronger than that of fentanyl.
The counterfeit pills designed to look like Oxycodone, a much less potent opioid, can increase the risk of accidental overdoses and drug poisonings.
“The rise in counterfeit pills containing Nitazenes is alarming,” said Detective Sergeant Steve Bereziuk in a press release.
The sergeant says the drugs present a serious danger to the community because users may take drugs more potent than they realize.
The press release also reads that 2,003 counterfeit Oxycodone pills that were found in March turned out to be Metonitazene.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police.