Windsor Star

Police seize suspected fentanyl-laced purple heroin, firearm from hotel room

- DALSON CHEN dchen@postmedia.com

Windsor police believe they’ve seized more than 100 grams of the street drug known as purple heroin — a deadly combinatio­n of heroin and fentanyl.

The suspected narcotics were discovered on Saturday in a motel room in the 2800 block of Howard Avenue.

Windsor police say they were called to the motel around 12:45 p.m. by employees who noticed a firearm in the room.

No one was in the room when police arrived. Officers were holding the scene and waiting for a search warrant when a vehicle with three occupants drove into the motel’s parking lot.

One male exited the vehicle — and was quickly arrested.

The vehicle then fled the parking lot with the remaining two occupants.

Police tried to pursue in their own vehicles, but the chase was called off due to the potential danger to the public. Through investigat­ion, Windsor police were able to identify two people who had been staying in the motel room, and also the driver of the vehicle.

Police searched the room and found the handgun in question. Officers also found four grams of crack cocaine, 30.4 grams of suspected fentanyl in a white powder form, and 104.2 grams of suspected purple heroin.

Last month, Hamilton Public Health Services issued an alert about purple heroin due to multiple reports of overdoses caused by a highly toxic form of heroin laced with fentanyl.

Police say Saturday’s seizure should serve as an important reminder that street drugs often involve a mixture of dangerous substances where even small amounts can be fatal.

Also seized from the room were 13.5 grams of an unknown substance that was subject to further analysis.

Police estimate the street value of all the drugs seized so far at $54,240.

A 25-year-old Toronto man, Guled Ismail, has been charged with possession of a firearm without a licence.

Windsor police seek to charge a 23-year-old Kitchener man with a similar firearm offence. A 35-year-old Windsor man is being sought on charges of dangerous driving and failing to stop for police.

Anyone with informatio­n is encouraged to call 519-255-6700, ext. 4830.

Anonymous tips can be made via Crime Stoppers at 519-258-8477 or www.catchcrook­s.com.

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