Mississauga man charged with online sale of lethal drugs appears in court

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Published May 31, 2023 at 12:37 pm

A Mississauga man charged with the alleged online sale of a deadly substance to people in Mississauga and reportedly to others in as many as 40 countries around the world appeared in Brampton court yesterday (May 30).

After his brief appearance before a judge, Kenneth Law, 57, was ordered to return to court next Wednesday (June 7).

He’s charged with two counts of counselling or aiding suicide.

The alleged online drug sales prompted an earlier public safety advisory from Peel Regional Police, who issued the warning in the wake of the arrest in early May of a Mississauga man who’s suspected of selling chemicals that were later used by buyers to kill themselves.

“Peel Regional Police have commenced an investigation into the distribution of a lethal substance called sodium nitrite,” the advisory stated. “It is a chemical substance commonly used as a food additive. However, when ingested in certain quantities, it can cause hazardous effects and potentially lead to death.”

Police add that if anyone receives a package they suspect may contain the substance, they are to call police immediately.

“We ask that the public be cautious and vigilant of online activities,” the police advisory continues, noting payment or transactions related to the following companies should be deemed suspicious, and reported to police:

  • Imtime Cuisine
  • AmbuCA
  • Academic/ACademic
  • Escape Mode/escMode
  • ICemac

Investigators say a man marketed and sold sodium nitrite online, targeting people at risk of self-harm. They believe he sold it under the brands listed in their public safety advisory.

Sodium nitrite is a white, crystalline substance used in very low doses to speed up the curing of meats. It also gives the meat a pink colour.

The chemical can be sold online, and its links to suicide have been known for years. Its use can reduce oxygen levels, impair breathing and, ultimately, cause death.

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