OPP warn of danger of purple heroin after recent deaths in Huntsville and Muskoka Lakes

Over the last week members of the Huntsville Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have been assisting the Office of the Chief Coroner in several death investigations in the Huntsville and Muskoka Lakes area.

Police believe the recent deaths may be associated to an unusually potent strain of purple heroin. “Purple” or “Purp” is heroin that has been mixed with substances such as fentanyl or carfentanil.

The Simcoe/Muskoka District Health unit describes fentanyl and carfentanil as:

· a powerful synthetic opioid

· Fentanyl is 100 times stronger than morphine and 40 times stronger than heroin.

· Carfentanil is intended for veterinary use as a sedative for large animals. It is 100 times more potent than Fentanyl and 10,000 times more so than morphine.

The ongoing investigation into the deaths will continue by members of the Huntsville OPP Crime Unit and Community Street Crime Unit under the direction of Detective Inspector Matt Watson of the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch.

Recognize the signs of someone experiencing an overdose: https://www.ontario.ca/page/get-naloxone-kits-free#section-4

Police are asking anyone with information to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS). You can submit your information online at www.p3tips.com or if you have any information on this crime or any other crime. Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to call display and you will remain anonymous. Being anonymous, you will not testify in court and your information may lead to a cash reward of up to $2,000. You can follow Crime Stoppers of Simcoe Dufferin Muskoka on Twitter or Facebook.

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