5 charged after allegedly selling carfentanil as heroin for higher price

Calgary police have charged five people suspectedof knowingly selling carfentanil and fentanyl as heroin.

Investigators with the Calgary Police Service'sstrategic enforcement unit started on the case last October by testing a substance believed to be so-called purple heroin.

The analysis from Health Canada showed it was actually carfentanil mixed with fentanyl, police said in a statement issued Monday.

Officers then launched a seven-month investigation, which culminated in the arrest of five people late last month.

"They were attempting to get a better price by selling it as a higher quality product,"unit Staff Sgt. Kyle Grant allegedin the statement.

"We have no way to know how many people may have suffered an overdose as a result."

Carfentanil is 100 times stronger than fenantyl and can be fatal in tiny doses.

Drugs, knives seized

Officers searched a home in the 300 block of Taralake Way N.E. in Calgary. The searchturned up drugs believed to be worth more than $50,000.

In total, 218.4 grams of carfentanil, 15 grams of powder fentanyl and 75.7 grams of crack cocaine were seized, as well as $9,555 in cash, police said.

GurpreetMultani, 23, was arrested at the home and charged with two counts of trafficking and three counts of possessing the proceeds of crime.

On May 24, police tactical unit officers also stopped and searched a vehicle. Police say they found$440, 16.4 grams ofcarfentanil, two large knives and multiple cellphones.

Four men ZuhavrAli, 21,AmritManhas,21,BubrakKhan, 21, andDylan Ferris, 18each have been chargedwith one count of trafficking a controlled substance and one count of proceeds of a crime.

Officials in multiple Ontario citieshave issued warnings about so-called purple heroin which is a mix of heroin, fentanyl, carfentanilandmorphine after the substance was tied toseveral overdoses.

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