Montreal police (SPVM) say they seized what they believe to be carfentanil and made two arrests after they dismantled a synthetic drug lab in the Griffintown neighbourhood. The arrests were made after a major police operation got underway Wednesday morning. Police say the investigation led them to two locations: the first was a condo tower housing a clandestine drug lab near the intersection of Peel and Smith streets. The second was a residential unit on McGill Street. “These searches enabled investigators to seize what is believed to be carfentanil. The identification of the seized substances is not yet complete, and the exact quantities have yet to be determined,” the SPVM said in a news release. Carfentanil is an opioid so toxic it can be lethal at very low doses and is significantly stronger than fentanyl. Last month, public health officials issued a warning to Montreal residents about the risk of overdose and death from consuming crack-cocaine laced with carfentanil. On Wednesday, two floors of the Griffintown condo tower had to be evacuated and the underground parking garage was temporarily closed during the operation. About 24 condominiums containing about 50 people were forced out, said SPVM spokesperson Jean-Pierre Brabant. In the release, the SPVM said dismantling a clandestine lab is a meticulous process that will take up to two more days to complete. Man, woman arrested A 35-year-old man was arrested and will appear in court on Thursday. The second suspect, a 33-year-old woman, was arrested and then released pending the outcome of the investigation, which was a collaboration between the SPVM, the Montreal Fire Department, Urgences-santé, and Health Canada. Charges could be laid by the Quebec Crown prosecution office. “The message is clear: the SPVM will not tolerate the production of drugs that poison our community. This operation demonstrates our collaborative work with our partners and our ongoing commitment to tracking down those who endanger the lives of others,” said Cmdr. Pierre-Marc Houle, head of the SPVM’s Southern Project Investigations Section, in the release. The police operation also led to the closure of Shannon Street, south of Wellington, as well as Smith Street, east of Peel. Motorists and cyclists are advised to avoid the area. Police say they will meet with residents of the condo who are affected by the operation, which is ongoing.
