The Ontario Provincial Police will continue to lay severe charges against traffickers of deadly opioids.
There have been 13 occurrences since 2016 in which charges for manslaughter and/or criminal negligence causing death in relation to fatal overdoses have been laid, according to the OPP.
Eight of the occurrences were this year. The 13 overdose-related death investigations have led to 20 counts of manslaughter and 12 criminal negligence causing death charges.
“There are no excuses in today’s environment to continue to allow this drug to be distributed through our communities. People are dying from opioid overdoses every day,” said OPP Interim Deputy Paul Beesley, Investigations and Organized Crime.
“We are continuing to hold those people who are knowingly trafficking harmful substances, such as fentanyl, in our communities accountable for these deaths.”
The OPP says it is not the only police service to lay charges of this nature. Other police services across the province are sending the same message “there is no excuse for selling, distributing or trafficking drugs such as fentanyl, especially when the deadliness of this drug is very well-known.”
Anyone with information related to overdose deaths may call the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or their local police. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
