Drug samples linked to possible Esgenopetitj overdoses sent for 'urgent' analysis

RCMP have asked Health Canada's toxicology lab for an "urgent" analysis of of a drug taken by a First Nations woman who died of an apparent overdose on a New Brunswick reserve this week.

Ann Marie Lambert ofEsgenopetitjFirst Nation was one of four people who suffered a suspected overdose earlier in the week. Three survived, but Lambertdied Tuesday night and police say herautopsy was completed Thursday evening.

"We do believe it to be an overdose of some sort,"saidCpl.Maxime Babineauof the Neguac RCMP, who said it normally takes eight to 10 weeks to get results back from toxicology testing. "We requestedthat it be urgent, so basically it's a waiting game right now."

The possibility that thedrug responsible for the deaths isfentanylhas police and thecommunity on edge.

"People are sayingfentanyl, but we can't confirm anything yet. We want to very very cautious about what we say,"saidBabineau. "So far we are dealing with [an] unknown drug...ifit is confirmed to be fentanyl, people have to know."

Possible arrest

ChiefAlveryPaul ofEsgenopetitjFirst Nation said that a suspect was taken into custody late Friday afternoon in connection with the distribution of the drugs.

Paul said RCMP arrested the man and took him to hospital after the man contacted Paul by phone.

Calls to police to confirm the arrestwere not immediately returned to CBC News.