Four people have been arrested on drug trafficking charges, and an arrest warrant has been issued for another, after Winnipeg police began investigating fentanyl products pressed and packaged into colourful shapes similar to cut-out cookies, candles and soaps.

The Winnipeg Police Service said in a Saturday news release its guns and gangs unit began an investigation in January around drug trafficking in the West Alexander neighbourhood. The police service issued a warning earlier last month about the colourfully packaged opioids, pressed into shapes including flowers, hearts and honeycombs.

In addition to the four arrests, that investigation led to the seizure of roughly $225,000 worth of illicit drugs and about $53,000 in cash during a February traffic stop and searches at two residences, according to police.