Canadian police on Tuesday filed 12 new charges against a Canadian man accused of selling a substance that could have helped suicide by sending packages to multiple countries over the Internet, AFP reported.

Authorities suspect Kenneth Lowe, 57, of selling the “suicidal” substance, commonly used as a dietary supplement, on several websites since late 2020.

More than 1,200 packages were sent around the world, including 160 to Canada, but police don’t know if they all contained the toxic compound.

Police did not say how many people died, but said the Canadians were between the ages of 16 and 36 and lived in Ontario, the most populous province.

“Each of the charges relate to a person who has died,” said Detective Inspector Simon James, who is leading the investigation.

Kenneth Lowe was arrested in early May and charged with providing “suicide advice or assistance” to two people.

New charges of a similar nature bring the number of charges against him to 14.

The accused, who worked as a chef in a Toronto hotel, plans to plead not guilty, his lawyer said.

“We are only at the beginning of the proceedings” but Kenneth Lowe “intends to defend himself”, Matthew Gourlay told AFP, stressing that “he will not exercise his right to bail at this time”.

Kenneth Lo found himself at the center of an international investigation. On Friday, British police announced that they are investigating the deaths of 88 people in Britain who bought the substance from Canadian websites.

Other investigations have been launched in the US, Italy, New Zealand and Australia, British media reported.

The Canadian investigation began in late March after the suspicious death of a man who consumed a substance often found in processed meat.

The compound can “reduce oxygen levels, impair breathing and lead to death,” police explained in a press release.

Kenneth Law is being held at a provincial center in the Toronto area awaiting trial.

His next court date is set for September 27.