Two deaths within two days in Banff are under investigation.
Banff police confirmed overuse of drugs is tied to the deaths on Feb. 22 and 24 – a 28-year-old Australian and a 29-year-old Canadian – but police are waiting to review toxicology report results to determine if it was the main cause of death.
“We’re waiting on the toxicology report to determine the types of drugs and if there are any correlation between the two deaths,” said Cpl. Chris Kosack.
Results could take a few weeks to a few months to be available to RCMP.
Police are unsure if the two men were known to each other.
About 47,000 Canadian deaths are linked to substance abuse annually, according to the Health Officer’s Council of B.C.
In 2015, Alberta RCMP, Alberta Health Services and the office of the Chief Medical Examiner expressed a province-wide concern for the illegal use of fentanyl, which is a potent synthetic opioid analgesic produced in clandestine laboratories. It can appear in the form of pills or powder.
In 2015, 272 deaths were caused or contributed to by the illicit use of fentanyl in the province, according to Alberta Health; more than double the 120 fentanyl related deaths in Alberta a year earlier.
Kosack said the officers in the drug enforcement department have seen fentanyl “here and there, but nothing out of range” in Banff.
“We’ve been lucky in that sense, I can’t say for sure, our officers in drug enforcement they haven’t seen too much of it yet,” said Kosack.
Burglar at thrift store
An alleged thief was caught on a security camera slithering in the cover of dark at Banff’s Last Temptation Thrift after store hours, where RCMP say under $5,000 in various items was stolen.
Mounties are investigating the incident, which occurred from 9-11 p.m. on March 10 at the store in the bottom floor of the Bear and Wolf Mall, on Bear Street.
Security footage appears to show a single suspect wearing a white or light grey snowsuit, with a hidden face behind a hoodie and ski mask.
RCMP say there was no forced entry and they are investigating if the person was working alone or not.
The entire theft took approximately 15 minutes, when an undisclosed amount of cash, pipes, scales, grinders, clothes and other smoking products were taken, said owner Sherry McEwen.
“(The suspect) carried the stolen items away in a large handled purse-like bag and a large see through clear plastic bag,” McEwen wrote in an email.
“The doors to the pipe case (were taken off), which was locked. They came off easily despite being locked. No damage was done to anything.”
RCMP are waiting to hear back from a forensic unit, checking exhibits that were seized for the investigation.
Warrant issued for suspect
Banff RCMP issued an arrest warrant for a man wanted in an alleged altercation at the beginning of March in the Banff townsite.
Mounties laid charges against Brian Lafreniere, 26, from Belle River, Ont., including one count of assault causing bodily harm in relation to an incident in an alley off Banff Avenue on March 2.
A warrant of arrest for the Province of Alberta has been placed.
However, the warrant cannot be enforced by Ontario RCMP members, said Banff Cpl. Chris Kosack.
At approximately 1:41 a.m., RCMP received a complaint of an assault. It’s alleged that an altercation between the victim and the suspect occurred. The suspect fled the scene and the victim required medical attention at the Banff Mineral Springs Hospital.
