Bail hearing set for Fredericton man charged after fentanyl found at Esgenopetitj

Jesse Joe, who faces charges of trafficking in a controlled substance and breach of probation, will return to Miramichi provincial court for a bail hearing on May 17.

The 35-year-oldFredericton resident is one of two men chargedafter a pill containing fentanyl was found on Esgenopetitj First Nation,where the drug is suspected in the overdoses of several people, including a woman who died.

Joe, wearing a faded green sweatshirt and jeans, appeared Tuesday before Judge Geri Mahoneyon Tuesday.

He was remanded back to custody after defence counsel requested time to review the material involved.

• 1 man charged, another arrested in connection with fentanyl at Esgenopetitj
• Pill seized on Esgenopetitj First Nation contains fentanyl, RCMP say

A second man was arrested but has not appeared in court or been named.

Both men were arrested April 20 by the RCMP in EsgenopetitjFirst Nation.

Investigation continues

Policeare continuing to investigate the death of a 35-year-old woman on April11onEsgenopetitjFirst Nation and are awaiting toxicology results, he said.

Last week, RCMP announced a Health Canada analysis confirmed a pill seized on the reservecontained fentanyl.

Health Canada describes fentanyl as a prescription painkiller about 100 times more powerful than morphine.

The pill found after the fatal overdose on the reserve is described as blue with "Percocet5" written on it. It is aboutone centimetrein diameter.

Anyone with any information about the case is asked to contact the Neguac RCMP at506-776-3000or Crime Stoppers at1-800-222-TIPS (8477).