CALGARY — As police announced that an eighth death has been tied to a toxic chemical added to ecstasy, investigators said Wednesday they have made a breakthrough in their investigation.
Two people have been charged with trafficking ecstasy and some of the drugs they allegedly sold were laced with paramethoxymethamphetamine (PMMA).
During a covert operation, undercover police bought ecstasy and the samples were confirmed to contain the chemical that's been connected to eight deaths in Calgary and one in Red Deer.
There have also been five similar deaths in B.C.'s Lower Mainland.
On Wednesday, Calgary police searched two Calgary homes and two vehicles and arrested two people.
Joshua Bradly Cook, 19, faces 23 counts including nine counts of trafficking ecstasy, as well as trafficking cocaine, possession of property obtained by crime and weapons charges.
Elizabeth Thomas, 19, faces three counts of trafficking ecstasy.
During the search, officers found 823.4 grams of powdered ecstasy, four capsules a collapsible baton, two knives and cash. The drugs have a street value of $16,460.
Police released photos of the pair because they want people who may have bought drugs from them to come forward.
Authorities also confirmed on Wednesday that the death of a Calgary man last month is connected to ecstasy containing PMMA.
Jeff Mahon, 37, died after police and paramedics responded at a home on in northeast Calgary on Jan. 29
Ambulances took Mahon's girlfriend and another man to hospital in serious condition. Their current condition isn't known.
Read more: http://www.calgaryherald.com/Calgar...ecstasy+bust/6122991/story.html#ixzz1lqKS1HsH
Two people have been charged with trafficking ecstasy and some of the drugs they allegedly sold were laced with paramethoxymethamphetamine (PMMA).
During a covert operation, undercover police bought ecstasy and the samples were confirmed to contain the chemical that's been connected to eight deaths in Calgary and one in Red Deer.
There have also been five similar deaths in B.C.'s Lower Mainland.
On Wednesday, Calgary police searched two Calgary homes and two vehicles and arrested two people.
Joshua Bradly Cook, 19, faces 23 counts including nine counts of trafficking ecstasy, as well as trafficking cocaine, possession of property obtained by crime and weapons charges.
Elizabeth Thomas, 19, faces three counts of trafficking ecstasy.
During the search, officers found 823.4 grams of powdered ecstasy, four capsules a collapsible baton, two knives and cash. The drugs have a street value of $16,460.
Police released photos of the pair because they want people who may have bought drugs from them to come forward.
Authorities also confirmed on Wednesday that the death of a Calgary man last month is connected to ecstasy containing PMMA.
Jeff Mahon, 37, died after police and paramedics responded at a home on in northeast Calgary on Jan. 29
Ambulances took Mahon's girlfriend and another man to hospital in serious condition. Their current condition isn't known.
Read more: http://www.calgaryherald.com/Calgar...ecstasy+bust/6122991/story.html#ixzz1lqKS1HsH
