Two men charged after police probe into sale of ‘popcorn’ drugs
Mix of heroin and fentanyl hardens when mixed and mimics the look of the popular snack
Hamilton police have charged two men after uncovering a mix of heroin and fentanyl — known as “popcorn” — being sold in the city.
The investigation began earlier this month after investigators from the gangs and weapons enforcement unit learned a man already known to police had moved back to Hamilton and was allegedly selling “popcorn.”
On Thursday around 4 p.m. two men were arrested in the area of Queenston Road and Nash Road in possession of more than $30,000 in drugs.
One man allegedly found with seven grams of “popcorn” and a large amount of cash. The other was allegedly found with 116 fentanyl patches.
It’s referred to as popcorn because the product becomes hard when mixed and mimics the look of popcorn, said Acting Det. Sgt. Craig Leishman.
Depending on the cutting agent it can look white or caramel colour.
Popcorn has been around in Hamilton for a while, but is becoming more popular, Leishman said. It’s also increasingly behind drug overdoses, as it can be difficult to know the strength of the drug from batch to batch.
Targeting fentanyl and “popcorn” drug traffickers is a top priority for police, because of the potency and potential for deaths, he said.
Police have never found a lab that produces “popcorn” locally, but they don’t know where it’s being imported from. The fentanyl patches are worth $150 to $200 each.
The investigation is continuing, Leishman said, including trying to find out where the fentanyl patches came from and if they were stolen.
Jason Taylor, 42, from Hamilton is charged with two counts of possession of heroin for the purpose of trafficking, two counts of possession of fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking, possession of proceeds of crime under $5,000 and two counts of failing to comply with bail conditions. Trevor Kennedy, 49, from British Columbia, was charged with two counts of possession of fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking.