REPLAY: Sault Police outline details of largest drug bust in department history (updated)

Sault Police announced a significant drug seizure and multiple arrests today during a press conference at the Sault Ste Marie Police Service building. The following is a news release issued today following the press conference.

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Officers with the Drug Enforcement Unit and Crime Suppression Unit of the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service, along with the assistance of the Break and Enter Unit have conducted an eight-month long drug investigation dubbed Project OAK.

Project OAK was designed to target and have a significant impact on high level drug trafficking in the city of Sault Ste. Marie.

On Thursday, Aug. 24, officers located and arrested 33-year-old Rebecca Gignac and 28-year-old Slawomir Bielawski, both of 158 Third Ln. E. in Sault Ste. Marie in relation to multiple drug related offences.

Evidence gathered during a Controlled Drug and Substance Act search warrant was executed at at 158 Third Ln. E. on August 25, 2017.

After they were taken into custody on Aug. 25, officers executed a Controlled Drug and Substance Act search warrant at 158 Third Ln. E. As a result of that search officers located and seized a large amount of illicit drugs including:

• 829g of crystal methamphetamine,
• 258g of cocaine,
• 134.5g of heroin,
• 22.2g of powder fentanyl, and;
• 180g of marijuana.

The total street value of the illicit drugs seized is in excess of $250,000.

In addition officers also seized:

• Two handguns,
• Over 200 rounds of related ammunition,
• Over $20,000 cash, and;
• Related drug paraphernalia.

As a result, 28-year-old Slawomir Bielawski has been charged with:

• One count of possession of property obtained by crime,
• Two counts of careless storage of a firearm,
• One count of careless storage of ammunition,
• Two counts unauthorized possession of a firearm,
• Two counts of possession of a firearm while knowing it’s possession is unauthorized,
• Two counts of possession of ammunition while knowing its possession is unauthorized,
• One count of possession of a weapon obtained by crime,
• Six counts of possession of a controlled substance, and;
• Seven counts of possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking.  

Thirty-three-year-old Rebecca Gignac has been charged with:

• One count of possession of property obtained by crime,
• Two counts of carless storage of a firearm,
• One count of careless storage of ammunition,
• Two counts of unauthorized possession of a firearm,
• Two counts of possession of a firearm knowing its possession is unauthorized,
• Two counts of possession of a firearm without a licence,
• One count of possession of a weapon obtained by crime,
• Four counts possession of a controlled substance, and;
• Five counts of possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking.

In addition, on Aug. 24, 2017 officers also charged 38-year-old Brett Warnock, 38-year-old Nathan Albidone, both of 28 Hardiman Ave.; and 50-year-old Darryl Gignac of 115 St. Georges Ave. with two counts of possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking.

The investigation team believes that this is the most significant drug seizure in the history of the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service. The result of this seizure will have a strong impact on the drug subculture in Sault Ste. Marie and surrounding area and will assist in reducing the harm caused by illicit drugs in Sault Ste. Marie.

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