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Health Canada confirms fentanyl in pill seized on New Brunswick First Nation

Apr 19, 2017 | 12:30 PM

FREDERICTON — Health Canada has confirmed a pill seized on the Esgenoopetitj First Nation in New Brunswick contained fentanyl.

RCMP say five Esgenoopetitj residents have been hospitalized since April 10 from suspected overdoses of the drug, a powerful synthetic opioid that has killed hundreds in western Canada but is relatively new to the East Coast.

Police are continuing to investigate the April 11 death of a 35-year-old woman on the First Nation, saying an autopsy determined she died of an overdose, although they are still awaiting toxicology results.

Her death has fuelled a growing movement on New Brunswick’s First Nations to banish drug dealers.