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Fentanyl-stuffed rotisserie chicken found by Kingston Police

What started as a call for threatening behaviour ended with weapon and drug charges for a 44-year-old from the GTA after Kingston Police discovered fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine stuffed inside a whole rotisserie chicken.

Photos show bags full of drugs poking out of the bird

A rotisserie chicken is shown with a plastic bag sticking out of the back of it.
Kingston Police say a 44-year-old from the GTA is facing drug and weapons charges after fentanyl, cocaine and crystal meth was found hidden inside a rotisserie chicken. (Supplied by Kingston Police)

A rotisserie chicken is a quick dinner staple, but when Kingston Police seized a man's meal after an arrest this week, they made a surprising discovery — his poultry was doubling as a drug stash.

A photo shared by the service shows a plastic bag peeking out of the rear end of the fully-cooked bird.

Police said officers found fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine stuffed inside.

"We've seen drugs hidden in unique spots," said Const. Anthony Colangeli. "I can't think off the top of my head the last time they've been hidden inside a chicken."

Police said the incident started as a call about threatening behaviour, but ended with weapon and drug charges for a 44-year-old man from the GTA.

Officers arrived at a hotel around 9:45 p.m. Tuesday following reports of a man threatening staff after an argument led them to ask him to leave, according to a media release.

Instead, the suspect returned to his room where he was arrested.

Officers 'carved' chicken to find drugs

Police said a search revealed two pellet guns that were seized, along with all of the man's belongings  — which included a receipt from Loblaws and the chicken neatly wrapped in twine.

Back at the police station, a further search revealed "a quantity of fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine which had been concealed inside a whole rotisserie chicken," the media release read.

A second picture shared by the service appears to show the bird neatly divided into serving sizes, along with some breaded cutlets and two sealed bags full of smaller, see-through baggies.

Two containers with breaded chicken and what appears to be chicken breast, along with plastic bags.
A second photo shared by Kingston Police shows the chicken divided into servings, along with plastic bags packed with several smaller baggies. (Supplied by Kingston Police Service)

"They essentially dissected or carved the chicken in order to find the different quantities of drugs hidden inside," Colangeli explained.

The drugs stashed inside the poultry included 46.1 grams of fentanyl, 10.8 grams of cocaine and 25.2 grams of crystal meth, police said.

"The guys were pretty surprised," said Colangeli. "You don't expect to find that."

Despite the unusual hiding place, the constable said the "odd incident" resulted in serious charges.

Not recommend for Easter dinner

Police have charged a 44-year-old from the Greater Toronto Area with two counts each of uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm, possession of weapons dangerous to the public and carrying a concealed weapon.

The accused is also charged with three counts each of breaching probation and possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking.

After the photos were taken, the chicken was thrown away, according to Colangeli.

"And no," he added with a smile. "I would not recommend this for your Easter Sunday dinner."

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dan Taekema

Reporter

Dan Taekema is CBC’s reporter covering Kingston, Ont. and the surrounding area. He’s worked in newsrooms in Chatham, Windsor, Hamilton, Toronto and Ottawa. You can reach him by emailing [email protected].