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
Asking rent prices up 9.3% across Canada, Ontario sees only decline: report
A new report says the average asking rent for a home in Canada in April was up 9.3 per cent compared with a year ago, while a slight month-over-month increase was also recorded for the first time since January.
What is basic income, and how would it impact me?
Parliamentarians are considering a pair of bills aiming to lift people out of poverty through a basic income program, but some fear these types of systems could result in more taxes for Canadians who are already financially struggling.
'I may have some nightmares:' Man survives being bitten by 2 sharks in Bahamas
A man who was bitten by two sharks in the Bahamas said Thursday he's 'thankful that I'm here' while sharing his story of survival.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
Mexico's president accuses press and volunteer searchers for missing people of 'necrophilia'
The administration of Mexico's president has accused the press and volunteer searchers who look for the bodies of missing people of 'necrophilia,' comments that drew criticism this week.
WATCH Expecting an interest rate cut in June? Don't bet on it after new jobs data
Canada's labour market rebounded in April, adding more than 90,000 jobs, a staggering number of new positions after four consecutive months of little change.
Out-of-control wildfire burning near Fort McMurray
As of 9 a.m. on Friday, the wildfire burning 28 kilometres southwest of the northeastern Alberta city was 25 hectares in size.
Prince William says wife Kate is 'doing well'
Prince William said on Friday his wife Kate was 'doing well' in a rare public comment about the Princess of Wales as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy for cancer.
'Irate male' assaulted Newfoundland officers with block of cheese, police say
Police in Newfoundland say patrol officers were assaulted Thursday by a "very irate male" wielding a block of cheese.