Man charged after police seize 42,000 doses worth of fentanyl at Charlottetown bus terminal

Police say they seized drugs and replica pistols in Charlottetown. (P.E.I. RCMP)

A 33-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman were arrested after police say they seized “significant quantities” of drugs, including fentanyl, at a bus terminal in Charlottetown on Wednesday.

The RCMP says it seized the following at the bus terminal on Mount Edward Road:

• three ounces of fentanyl
• 100 pills of hydromorphone
• 50 clonazepam
• two replica pistols
• ammunition

“Fentanyl is an exceptionally dangerous drug, it can be fifty times stronger than heroine and very small amounts can be fatal,” said Chief Supt. Kevin Lewis, commanding officer of the P.E.I. RCMP.

“Three ounces (85 grams) of fentanyl represents a significant public-safety concern. A typical illicit fentanyl ‘dose’ is generally considered to be as small as 2 milligrams depending on its concentration, meaning that this seizure represents over 42,000 doses taken off P.E.I. streets.”

Andre Kimball Gotell of Charlottetown is facing the following charges:

• three counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking (fentanyl, hydromorphone and Clonazepam)
• failure to comply with a probation order
• unsafe storage of ammunition
• possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose (knife)
• carrying a concealed weapon (knife)
• possession of a firearm when knowing its possession is unauthorized

Gotell appeared in Charlottetown provincial court on Thursday. He was remanded into custody and is due back in court on Monday.

Police say the woman was released without charges.

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