A 60-year-old man faces a number of drug trafficking charges following the seizure of 15 grams of fentanyl powder in a raid at a Carlingwood area apartment Tuesday.



Ottawa police said an ongoing drug unit investigation led to the raid in the 1400 block of Caldwell Avenue.



Royston Christie was charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking, possession of a controlled substance and possession of proceeds of crime.



The drug is estimated to have a street value of more than $7,000.



Three women and two men, all between 28 and 49 years old, are also wanted in connection with this investigation. Their identities were not released.



“We have already seen an increase in (fentanyl) overdoses and it’s important that residents are aware of the dangers of these types of drugs, whether in powder form or as counterfeit pills,” drug unit Staff Sgt. Rick Carey said in a news release.



Over the past week, Ottawa hospital and public health officials have warned of an important spike of life-threatening overdose-related emergency room visits, with more than two dozen cases reported.



On Sunday, the chair of Ottawa’Drug Users Advocacy League warned that a new and deadly from of fentanyl had hit the streets of Ottawa.



Anyone with information relating to this investigation or any other drug investigation is asked to contact the Ottawa police drug unit at 613-236-1222 ext. 5080.



Information on treatment options is available at stopoverdoseottawa.ca