2 Guelph residents face 22 charges in purple fentanyl bust

Guelph police have laid 22 charges against two Guelph residents after a lengthy investigation that uncovered more than $8,000 worth of drug known as purple fentanyl.

A 24-year-old woman and 23-year-old man, who are both known to police, were arrested on Tuesday and are scheduled to appear in a Guelph courtroom Wednesday.

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In a press release, police said they have been "engaged in several fentanyl investigations" this year, and recently began investigating reports of purple fentanyl - a particularly potent form of the drug that often contains carfentanil, "which is 100 times stronger than fentanyl."

That investigation led them to their suspects, who were arrested with over $6,500 worth of what was believed to be purple fentanyl in their possession, as well as $200 worth of what was believed to be crystal meth.

When police searched an apartment in the area of Wellington and Gordon streets, they also found:

• An additional $1,800 worth of what was believed to be purple fentanyl.
• About $800 worth of what was believed to be crystal meth.
• Three cans of pepper spray.
• Brass knuckles.
• A replica BB gun.
• A prohibited knife.
• Three digital scales.
• Three debt lists.
• Drug packaging.
• Cell phones.

The man and woman were jointly charged with six counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking, as well as three counts of possessing a controlled substance and three counts of possessing a prohibited weapon.

The male suspect was also charged with six counts of breach of probation and two counts of driving while suspended.

The woman was also charged with two counts of driving a motor vehicle without a licence.