Montreal police (SPVM) arrested two alleged synthetic drug traffickers in connection with the overdose death of a 15-year-old teenager in December 2023.
The suspects are aged 24 and 17.
Mathis Boivin died after mistakenly taking a single dose of isotonitazene on Dec. 21, 2023, before going to bed. The next morning, he never woke up.
According to Boivin’s family, the 15-year-old thought he was taking oxycontin.
The SPVM said these arrests come after several months of investigations.
In addition to the two arrests, three homes were searched in Ahuntsic–Cartierville and Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension, as well as a vehicle belonging to one of the suspects.
Police say several hundred counterfeit pills that appeared to be pharmaceuticals were seized.
“The investigation showed that these counterfeit pills are in fact dangerous synthetic opioids (isotonitazene type) that can lead to overdoses,” reads a press release.
The 24-year-old will appear Wednesday at the Montreal courthouse and faces charges of drug trafficking and possession for the purpose of trafficking. As of right now, there are no murder charges.
The minor will appear in youth court at a later date and faces charges of drug trafficking and possession for the purpose of trafficking.