A drug trafficking investigation in southwestern Ontario has netted nearly two kilograms of fentanyl and resulted in four arrests. The Guelph Police Service said their efforts were focused on a “potent form of fentanyl” linked to a recent spike in overdoses. Public health warning Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health issued its latest warning on Monday. “Drug poisoning incidents have increased significantly in 2026,” they wrote in a social media post. “May recorded the highest number of incidents in the region since local tracking began.” Their data showed 269 drug poisonings or overdoses between Jan. 1 and June 3, as well as 17 fatalities. That was more than double what the health unit saw in 2025. Over that same time period, 110 incidents and nine fatalities were reported. “Most incidents (92 per cent) have occurred in the City of Guelph, while the majority of fatalities occur in Wellington County,” they wrote. “To date in 2026, there have been 17 drug-related deaths, with 11 occurring in Wellington County.” Trafficking investigation Guelph Police said they searched multiple locations in Guelph, Brantford and North York on June 2. Officers seized approximately 1.9 kilograms of suspected fentanyl, with an estimated street value of $200,000. They also found more than 50 grams of suspected cocaine worth approximately $5,000, Canadian cash, digital scales, cutting agents and ammunition, as well as a stolen e-bike. Police said a 37-year-old man from Brantford was charged with trafficking fentanyl, possession for the purpose of trafficking fentanyl, possession of proceeds of crime and failure to comply with judicial release order. He was previously charged with, and awaiting sentencing, on a separate charge of possession for the purpose of trafficking fentanyl. A 32-year-old man from Guelph was also charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking fentanyl, possession of property obtained by crime and possession of a weapon contrary to a prohibition order. The third man was a 46-year-old from Guelph. He was charged with two counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking fentanyl, possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine, possession of property obtained by crime and breach of probation. Police said the man already had an outstanding warrant for his arrest on the charge of possession for the purpose of trafficking. Lastly, a 36-year-old woman from Brantford was charged with trafficking fentanyl and possession of property obtained by crime. Guelph Police said the searches were carried out by their Drug Enforcement Unit, with help from the Tactics and Rescue Unit, Break, Enter and Auto Theft Unit, and Intelligence Unit.
