OPP Issues Public Safety Warning Regarding Packages with Lethal Substance, Mississauga Man Arrested

A public safety warning has been issued in Ontario regarding packages containing a potentially lethal substance being mailed across the province and other countries. According to Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), the packages contain sodium nitrite and are being sent with labels of Imtime Cuisine, AmbuCA, Academic/ACademic, and other entities. Police has reportedly arrested a Mississauga resident said to be behind the distribution of these packages.

OPP has warned the public in Ontario about packages being mailed that contain sodium nitrite, which can be lethal. It is in a white crystalline form commonly found in processed meats but excessive amounts can reduce oxygen levels in the body, which could lead to death. The packages have labels of Imtime Cuisine, AmbuCA, Academic/ACademic, Escape Mode/escMode or ICemac.

Peel police have arrested a Mississauga resident named Kenneth Law for the alleged online sale and distribution of sodium nitrite in GTA. He is facing two counts of counseling or aiding suicide. “It is believed that the suspect distributed and marketed the substance online to target individuals at risk of self-harm,” Peel police said.

The investigation revealed that these packages have been sent to 40 different countries and that 1,200 packages have been shipped, though it is unclear if all those packages contained sodium nitrite.

The public has been asked to be vigilant about their online orders as well as any unexpected packages in the mail. Anyone who may have received such a package or has information on them should contact OPP at 1-888-310-1122.

Vineet Washington