Police arrest 22 people, lay 185 charges in Ottawa Valley drug bust
Ontario Provincial Police say 22 people have been arrested and 185 charges have been laid following a major drug bust in the Upper Ottawa Valley.
The months-long investigation culminated with several places being searched in Pembroke, Arnprior and Renfrew on Dec. 2.
Officers seized quantities of suspected fentanyl, cocaine, heroin, crack cocaine, crystal meth and psilocybin mushrooms. Police also seized thousands of dollars in cash, Tasers, pepper spray, rifles, ammunition, replica pistols, cell phones, and drug trafficking paraphernalia such as scales and debt lists.
Police expect there will be more arrests.
"The OPP recognize the trafficking of illegal drugs has a serious impact on community safety, leading to increases in a wide spectrum of violent acts and property crimes," said OPP East Region Chief Superintendent Karl Thomas in a press release. "Any time that we disrupt a criminal operation, we send a very clear message to criminals that police—regardless of jurisdiction—will continue to identify and aggressively pursue those individuals who continue to threaten the safety of our communities."
The accused are identified as follows:
- Michelle Denise Arnold, 54, of Pembroke, Ont.
- Cody Brandon Burke, 29, of Pembroke, Ont.
- Rachelle Marie Desormeaux, 78, of Renfrew, Ont.
- Malik Khalid Gebara, 19, of Orléans, Ont.
- Thomas John Gilks, 21, of Arnprior, Ont.
- Peter William Winston Goyette, 39, of Gatineau, Que.
- Michael Gordon Greenfield, 38, of L'Isle Aux Allumettes, Que.
- Jean Gilles Lafontaine, 55, of Pembroke, Ont.
- Tammy Sue Laundrie, 57, of Renfrew, Ont.
- Thomas Laundrie, 54, of Renfrew, Ont.
- Patrick Martin Lawrence, 35, of Pembroke, Ont.
- Tammy Lynn Leclaire, 51, of Renfrew, Ont.
- Shawn James McAdam, 48, of Renfrew, Ont.
- Kyle Ambrose Peplinskie, 35, of Pembroke, Ont.
- Sarah Proksch, 25, of Pembroke, Ont.
- Jason Joseph Ranger, 47, of Pembroke, Ont.
- Matthew Ranger, 24, of Pembroke, Ont.
- Kachina Tyra Sackaney, 28, of Golden Lake, Ont.
- Heidi Alicia Scanes, 37, of Pembroke, Ont.
- Logan Anthony Stevens, 25, of Pembroke, Ont.
- Roseanne Marie Sylvester, 38, of Pembroke, Ont.
- A 17-year-old from Ajax, Ont., who cannot be identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
All of the accused are facing a variety of charges. In total, 185 charges were laid between the 22 suspects.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Saskatchewan isn't remitting the carbon tax on home heating. Why isn't my province following suit?
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Caleb Williams goes to the Bears with the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.
Body of Quebec man who died in Cuba found in Russia, family confirms
A Montreal-area family confirmed to CTV News that the body of their loved one who died while on vacation in Cuba is being repatriated to Canada after it was mistakenly sent to Russia.