A seizure of more than $1 million worth of synthetic opioids in Omemee is highlighting the emergence of a potent class of drugs that police say has the potential to cause significant harm in communities.
Kawartha Lakes Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) announced on Friday (September 25) that officers had seized almost 2.7 kilograms of suspected synthetic opioids following a six-month drug trafficking investigation involving the Canada Border Services Agency.
Police identified the substances as approximately 1,070 grams of chlorphine, 215 grams of brorphine, 545 grams of orphine, and 830 grams of trichlorphine.
All four are part of a relatively new class of synthetic opioids known as orphine analogues or brorphine analogues. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime describes orphines as potent synthetic opioids related to brorphine, which first appeared in illicit drug markets in 2019 and was placed under international control in 2022. Since 2024, authorities have reported the emergence of several related substances, including chlorphine and orphine.
The OPP release refers to one of the seized substances as “trichlorphine.” The U.S. National Library of Medicine’s PubChem database lists trichlorphine as another name for 5,6-dichloro desmethylchlorphine, another synthetic opioid in the orphine family.
The substances are part of a rapidly changing illicit drug supply in which new synthetic opioids can emerge faster than many people who use drugs, healthcare providers, or authorities become familiar with them.
Health Canada says Canada’s overdose crisis is being driven in part by a dangerous and unpredictable illegal drug supply containing powerful synthetic opioids and other substances. Because the contents and potency of illicit drugs can be unknown, people may be exposed to potent opioids without realizing it.
For example, brorphine is a potent opioid that acts on the nervous system the same way as drugs including morphine and fentanyl. Research into brorphine and related compounds has found that some can cause pronounced respiratory depression, which is the potentially fatal suppression of breathing associated with opioid poisoning.
“The substances seized are highly potent synthetic opioids that have the potential to cause significant harm in our communities,” said Kawartha Lakes OPP Inspector Robert Flindall in a media release.
“Investigations such as this reflect the tireless efforts of our Community Street Crime Units and the value of inter-agency cooperation in addressing criminal activity. By working together, we continue to target those involved in illegal drug activity and enhance the safety and well-being of the communities we serve.”
The investigation began after Canada Border Services Agency officers intercepted two packages containing controlled substances between March and June. Both shipments were being imported into Canada and were destined for an address in the City of Kawartha Lakes, according to police.
The interceptions prompted the City of Kawartha Lakes OPP Community Street Crime Unit to begin an investigation.
On Monday (September 14), police executed a search warrant at a residence in Omemee with assistance from specialized OPP teams, the Peterborough Community Street Crime Unit, Canada Border Services Agency, Kawartha Lakes emergency services, the Office of the Fire Marshal, and the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks.
Along with the suspected opioids, investigators seized a cell phone, a tablet, and several laptop computers.
A 37-year-old Emily Township man was arrested and charged with trafficking a Schedule I substance, two counts of importing a Schedule I substance, and four counts of possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking.
He was held for a bail hearing and was scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Lindsay on September 16. The charges have not been proven in court.
“Synthetic opioids are a serious threat to the health and safety of Canadians,” said Lisa Janes, regional director general for the Canada Border Services Agency’s Greater Toronto Area region.
“The CBSA works hand-in-hand with law enforcement partners to intercept these dangerous drugs before they reach our streets and our communities.”
Anyone with information about the possession, manufacture, or trafficking of illicit drugs can contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477 or ontariocrimestoppers.ca.
