Mounties lay charges after cough syrup laced with fentanyl kills teen

Mounties in Alberta have charged a 23-year-old man with first-degree murder after he allegedly gave another man cough syrup laced with a fatal dose of fentanyl.

Cpl. Gina Slaney says an 18-year-old resident of Chestermere, a city east of Calgary, died in hospital on April 3, 2020, about three days after consuming the substance.

Court documents say the accused is also facing an attempted murder charge after he allegedly gave the laced cough syrup to a 25-year-old Calgary resident who didn't end up drinking it.

Investigators allege the medicine was intended for both victims.

Investigators say the accused is from Conrich, Alta., a hamlet also east of Calgary.

He is scheduled to appear in court for a bail hearing next week.