Sault Police have seized $80,000 worth of suspected cocaine and fentanyl in a joint investigation with the OPP that targeted four addresses in the city.
A 24-year-old was arrested and charged — but has already been released on bail. He is due back in court April 29.
The investigation began in October 2023, when detectives started looking into “the distribution of large quantities of cocaine” in the community.
Search warrants were obtained for four addresses in town: the 400 block of Parliament Street, the 100 block of Edmonds Avenue, the 100 block of Elmwood Avenue and the 200 block of McNabb Street.
At around 6:45 p.m. on March 31, officers pulled over the suspect. A subsequent search turned up 54 grams of suspected cocaine packaged in numerous small bags, police allege.
The suspect was arrested while officers executed the four search warrants.
“During the search of the residences, officers located and seized approximately 725 grams of suspected cocaine, approximately 15 grams of suspected fentanyl, weigh scales, and $53,300 in Canadian currency,” says a news release issued this morning by the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service. “The estimated street value of the drugs seized is approximately $80,000.”
Four people were taken into custody while officers investigated. Three were released unconditionally.
Riley Bisson-Miller, 24, is charged with two counts of possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking, and one count of possession of property obtained by crime.
None of the allegations have been tested in court and Bisson-Miller is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
“This arrest is a small victory in our ongoing battle against those profiting off addiction,” Chief Hugh Stevenson said in the news release. “The success of this operation is a testament to the dedication of our officers and, though significant, is merely a step in our relentless efforts to hold traffickers accountable and make our community safer.”
The joint investigation was supported by Criminal Intelligence Service Ontario (CISO), which is funded by the provincial government.