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
Police arrest 3 in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Five areas Canada's foreign interference commissioner says needs more investigation
Commissioner Marie-Josee Hogue released her interim report examining foreign election interference on Friday. Here are five elements of the issue that Hogue says she needs to further probe before she can make conclusions or recommendations.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.
Why your airfare may be getting more expensive
Skyrocketing airfare prices are linked to heightened competition and rising food and fuel, according to the CAA.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
New weight-loss drug Wegovy not a 'magic bullet,' doctor warns
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
Funeral today for broadcasting legend and voice of 'Hockey Night in Canada' Bob Cole
A funeral is being held today for hockey broadcasting legend Bob Cole in his hometown of St. John's, N.L.
Foreign meddling 'did not affect' overall federal election results: inquiry report
Foreign interference by China did not affect the overall results of the 2019 and 2021 general elections won by Justin Trudeau's Liberals, a federal commission of inquiry has found.