Prince George RCMP are warning the public of what may be an increased presence of carfentanil and GHB in the community.
According to a media statement, local police seized amounts of methamphetamine, heroin and marijuana from a motel room on Central Street on April 6. The seizure also included an amount of a then-unknown substance that police now believe to have been carfentanil and GHB. A vehicle and other items believed to be involved in the trafficking of these drugs were also seized.
Carfentanil is similar to fentanyl but is considered 100 times more potent and is extremely lethal. It has traditionally been used by veterinarians for very large animals like elephants and is not intended for human use. Carfentanil has been detected in B.C. in recent years but has been relatively rare in the local drug supply, according to the Prince George RCMP.
GHB, or gamma-hydroxybutyrate, is a solvent primarily used as a floor cleaner. It is commonly referred to as a “club drug” but is often placed in alcoholic beverages.
“The solvent is made in a lab using chemicals such as lye and sodium hydroxide. Things you should never want to put in your body. When ingested, GHB can cause an intoxication like alcohol and severe memory loss, making it a "date rape" drug,” police said in a media statement.
Police have warned the public to be wary of leaving drinks unattended and to immediately seek medical help if an individual is suspected of being drugged.
A 49-year-old Prince George man, and a 42-year-old Vancouver man were both arrested at the location of the seizure. Both have been released pending charges.
Police have urged members of the public with information related to trafficking of illegal drugs to call them at 250-561-3300 or to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
