Four charged after fentanyl seized in Collingwood drug bust

Four people are facing drug charges after police executed a search warrant last week in Collingwood.

In May and June, Collingwood and The Blue Mountains OPP began a drug-trafficking investigation into two people staying in an RV at numerous locations and residences in the Collingwood area.

On July 5, a search warrant was executed at the RV and at a residence on Leslie Street in Collingwood. Police found three people in the RV. They were arrested without incident. A search of the vehicle turned up more than 60 grams of fentanyl, worth an estimated $9,500, and “other evidence related to drug trafficking,” police said in a news release.

Karri-Ann Mercier, 41, of Collingwood, has been charged with possession of a Schedule 1 substance for the purpose of trafficking (opioid other than heroin), possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000 and possession of an identity document.

Christopher Fish, 48, of Collingwood, has been charged with possession of a Schedule 1 substance for the purpose of trafficking (opioid other than heroin).

Patrick Robitaille, 51, of Sturgeon Falls, has been charged with possession of a Schedule 1 substance for the purpose of trafficking (opioid other than heroin).

Michael Churchill, 43, of Collingwood, has been charged with possession of a Schedule 1 substance for the purpose of trafficking (opioid other than heroin), possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000 and possession of an identity document.

“These arrests occurred in the wake of numerous complaints of fentanyl overdoses where OPP and other emergency services needed to administer naloxone to save those individuals,” police said. “OPP warn the public of the dangers of fentanyl as well as other street drugs. For more information, visit www.opp.ca/overdose.”