On the same day that Chatham-Kent marks International Overdose Awareness Day, the local police service is reporting two arrests as part of an ongoing drug trafficking investigation in Chatham.
Chatham-Kent police said members of the Critical Incident Response Team carried out a search warrant on King Street East in Chatham on Wednesday and seized approximately $1,200 worth of fentanyl.
In July, the Chatham-Kent public health unit noted that fentanyl directly contributes to nearly all accidental opioid-related deaths in the municipality. Through the first six months of 2024, there were also already more suspected drug deaths in Chatham-Kent than the municipality reported in all of 2023.
During the search on Wednesday, CK police said they also seized a sawed-off shotgun along with ammunition, mobile devices, digital scales, packing material, cutting agents, and some Canadian currency.
A 28-year-old Chatham woman and a 31-year-old Chatham woman were both arrested and taken to police headquarters pending a bail hearing.
They were both charged with drug possession for the purpose of trafficking, unauthorized possession of a firearm, and failing to comply with a release order.
The 28-year-old woman was also charged with possession of a firearm contrary to a prohibition order and possession of ammunition contrary to a prohibition order.
