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As the overdose crisis continues on throughout B.C. communities, police across the province have been working to stem the illegal flow of opioids.

On the east coast of Vancouver Island, Comox Valley RCMP announced today (December 20) that an investigation had been underway into suspected drug trafficking at a hotel in the 1800 block of Cliffe Avenue in Courtenay.

When police used a search warrant at a hotel room at that location on December 16, officers seized cash, cellphones, and what is believed to be fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, and prescription drugs.

Police arrested two female suspects—a 34-year-old and a 52-year-old, both from Courtenay—who have since been released from custody.

An investigation report will be forwarded to the Public Prosecution Service of Canada for charges to be considered.

The news from Courtenay arrived one day after federal RCMP announced that during an investigation into seven shipments of fentanyl (totaling 3.5 kilograms) in Metro Vancouver, Jaroslaw Orzel of Richmond has been sentenced to prison for drugs and weapons charges.

“Just 0.002 of a gram of fentanyl could be fatal,” RCMP Federal Serious and Organized Crime Chief Supt. Keith Finn stated in a news release, adding that the removal of the opioid from the streets helps to prevent numerous overdoses.