Two men in their 40s are facing multiple drug trafficking and weapons charges after Winnipeg police say an Elmwood home was connected to about 30 reported overdoses within the last two months.
Earlier this month, community support unit officials started investigating after residents made multiple reports of drug trafficking and firearms at a home on Watt Street, near Talbot Avenue, in Winnipeg’s Elmwood neighbourhood, police said in a news release on Saturday.
“Through the investigation, it was learned that this residence and these two individuals were directly related to a spate of recent drug overdoses in and around that building,” Winnipeg Police Service Const. Claude Chancy told CBC News.
Approximately 30 overdoses were reported “in extremely close proximity” to the Watt Street home within the last two months, he said. However, he said more overdoses could have gone unreported to police.
CBC News has reached out to the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service, which responds to overdose calls.
On Thursday, police executed a search warrant at the home, seizing 174 grams of methamphetamine, 50 grams of fentanyl and four grams of hydromorphone.
Chancy said the drugs allegedly being trafficked from this residence were likely “tainted” and had a “life-threatening” component.
Police also seized several prohibited firearms, cellphones, drug packing materials, power tools and more than $1,700 in Canadian currency.
A 40-year-old man and a 44-year-old man have each been charged with multiple drug trafficking, firearms, possession of stolen property and proceeds of crime offences, police said.
Both men were detained in custody.