OPP NEWS RELEASE
************************* Joint Forces Drug Unit charges 46 people with 265 offences
NORTH BAY, ON (February 6) - The Joint Forces Drug Unit, which is comprised of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Drug Enforcement Section and the North Bay Police Service, has charged 46 individuals with drug related offences following early morning arrests conducted in the communities of North Bay, Mattawa and Powassan on Thursday February 5.
The charges stem from an eight-month undercover investigation conducted by the Joint Forces Drug Unit.
The undercover investigation focused on drug traffickers operating in the communities of North Bay, Mattawa and Powassan.
An undercover officer was successful in infiltrating local traffickers and making numerous drug purchases.
The investigation concluded with the execution of eight search warrants.
Forty-six individuals have been charged with 265 drug related offences.
Drugs purchased and seized during the investigation were 2.5 pounds of cocaine, 22 pounds of marijuana, 234 grams of psilocybin, and 500 oxycodone and ecstasy pills.
The street value of the drugs seized is $335,000.
Four rifles that were stolen from a break and enter at a residence in Powassan were purchased.
An additional 12 more rifles along with a stolen pickup truck, two stolen ATVs and $22,000 cash was also seized during this investigation.
Charges are pending against two more individuals.
Charged are:
Jeff SANTERRE, age 34, of North Bay Trafficking in a Controlled Substance – 10 counts Theft under $5,000 – 2 counts Possession of Property Obtained by Crime – 6 Counts
Richard MARTEL, age 27, of North Bay Trafficking in a Controlled Substance – 16 Counts Possession of Property Obtained by Crime – 10 Counts Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking – 1 Count
William PEARCE, age 28, of North Bay Trafficking in a Controlled Substance – 9 Counts Trafficking in a Firearm – 2 Counts Possession of a Firearm Obtained by Crime – 1 Count Possession of a Firearm While Prohibited – 1 Count Possession of Property Obtained by Crime – 7 Counts Production of a Controlled Substance – 1 Count Breach of Probation – 11 Counts Peter SUTHERLAND, age 55, of North Bay Trafficking in a Controlled Substance – 1 Count Possession of Property Obtained by Crime – 1 Count
Gerald BOUCHER, age 52, of North Bay Trafficking in a Controlled Substance- 4 Counts Possession of Property Obtained by Crime – 4 Counts
Willy LATOUR, age 30, of North Bay Trafficking in a Controlled Substance - 6 Counts Possession of Property Obtained by Crime – 4 Counts Breach of Probation – 3 Counts
William McPHEE, age 52, of North Bay Trafficking in a Controlled Substance – 7 Counts Possession of Property Obtained by Crime – 5 Counts Breach of Probation – 3 Counts
Ray BOUCHER, age 56, of Sudbury Trafficking in a Controlled Substance – 3 Counts Possession Of Property Obtained by Crime – 1 Count
Laura BAILEY, age 33, of North Bay Trafficking in a Controlled Substance – 4 Counts Possession Of Property Obtained by Crime – 4 Counts Jeff QUENNEVILLE, age 34, of North Bay Trafficking in a Controlled Substance – 1 Count Possession Of Property Obtained by Crime – 1 Count Breach of Probation – 1 Count
Scott EVANS, age 36, of North Bay Trafficking in a Controlled Substance - 3 Counts Possession of Property Obtained by Crime – 3 Counts
Tammy ANDERSON, age 37, of North Bay Trafficking in a Controlled Substance – 8 Counts Possession of Property Obtained by Crime – 6 Counts
Jason LANG, age 32, of North Bay Trafficking in a Controlled Substance – 3 Counts Possession of Property Obtained by Crime – 2 Counts
Donna DEWOLF, age 38, of North Bay Trafficking in a Controlled Substance – 4 Counts Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking – 1 Count Possession of Property Obtained by Crime – 3 Counts
Mick LABROSSE, age 38, of North Bay Trafficking in a Controlled Substance – 1 Count
Jason TOPPS, age 27, of North Bay Trafficking in a Controlled Substance – 1 Count Possession of Property Obtained by Crime – 1 Count
Larkin CHARLEBOIS, age 55, of North Bay Trafficking in a Controlled Substance – 1 Count Possession of Property Obtained by Crime – 1 Count