‘Gummy Bear’ Fentanyl Seized During Alberta Drug Bust

A man and woman from Alberta are facing multiple drug trafficking charges after Lethbridge police confiscated more than 3,700 doses of illegal drugs that included fentanyl-laced gummy bears.

Officers detained the pair on the evening of July 9 because they were wanted for outstanding warrants and discovered three ounces of cocaine on the male, along with smaller amounts of other drugs, and $7,030 in cash, police said in a press release. The male was also riding a stolen electric bicycle.

Police next searched the couple’s residence leading to the discovery of a large cache of drugs consistent with street trafficking activity in the city’s downtown.

“A subsequent search warrant was executed at their residence leading to the discovery of 51 light-green fentanyl ‘gummy-bears,’ as well as mixing bowls, gummy-bear molds, and detailed instructions for preparing the mixture,” the July 15 press release said. “Officers also seized bulk amounts of other controlled substances, trafficking paraphernalia such as baggies, operational digital scales, score sheets, and a cell phone actively receiving calls from individuals seeking to purchase drugs.”

In total, police seized 3,753 doses of street drugs including 2,127 doses of fentanyl and 1,135 doses of methamphetamine. Cocaine, ketamine, and $7,400 in cash were also seized. Police estimated the drugs and cash combined would be valued at more than $84,000.

Lethbridge residents Gregory Johnston, 61, and 51-year-old Deborah Bolender were each charged with production of a controlled substance (fentanyl), four counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking, and possession of the proceeds of crime over $5,000.

Additional charges against Johnston include possession of stolen property and three counts of breaching a release order.

Both have been remanded into custody and are scheduled to appear in court on July 17.

Fentanyl is a highly potent opioid that is 100 times stronger than morphine and 50 times as strong as heroin. Most street fentanyl in Canada is produced illegally as a powder that is then swallowed, smoked, snorted, or injected, according to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.

Law enforcement agencies across the country have cracked down on fentanyl trafficking since U.S. President Donald Trump first threatened Canada with a 25 percent tariff on all of its goods not covered by the  United States-Mexico-Canada trade agreement if the country didn’t stem the flow of the illegal drug into his country.

Producers have turned to unusual ways to hide illicit drugs in a bid to escape the notice of law enforcement.

Authorities in Winnipeg arrested four individuals earlier this year on drug trafficking charges after confiscating approximately $225,000 in fentanyl that had been pressed into colourful shapes such as flowers, hearts, and honeycombs before being packaged for sale.

The Winnipeg Police Service said the drugs had purposely been made to resemble cut-out cookies, candles, and soaps.