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Warning issued after suspicious change in drugs across region

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The Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU) is warning people about tainted drugs that may be sold on the streets in communities between Winnipeg and Thunder Bay.

This is a second similar warning from the health agency after seeing an increase of suspicous overdoses, particularly in Dryden and Sioux Lookout.

According to the NWHU, people have been experiencing unusual reactions and effects from drugs and testing done by drug checking sites and people using drugs has shown there are often other substances mixed in that make use of these drugs more dangerous.

“We wanted to do a little more investigating,” says Donna Stanley, director of health protection with the NWHU. “So the second (warning) is like a follow up that we were saying this looks like it is around the region between Winnipeg and Thunder Bay so maybe everyone should know.”

The NWHU cautions people that substances are being sold as cocaine, however it is causing unusual symptoms of feeling unwell, sleepiness or unconsciousness, even death.

Stanley adds that sometimes naloxone isn’t proving effective, suggesting the substance is tainted with tranquilizer.

As well, opioids have been testing positive for medetomidine (vet tranquilizer) and crystal methamphetamine has tested positive for fentanyl.

The NWHU reminds people using drugs to practice safe harm reduction through such measures as testing drugs before using (NWHU has free test kits), keeping naloxone on hand, and to never use drugs alone.

In the end, the agency reiterates that people experiencing suspicious effects should contact emergency services and to report any adverse drug events.

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Significant Drug Bust In Thunder Bay

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Thunder Bay Police made a huge drug bust at a home on McKellar Street North.

It was Tuesday evening that police entered a home with a search warrant from an ongoing drug investigation.

Two people were located inside, while a third tried to flee on foot. Officer caught that suspect in the neighbours yard.

All three individuals were arrested and hail from Toronto.

Investigators collected quite the stash of drugs, more than $100,000 in cash and a loaded handgun.

A large quantity of cocaine, crack cocaine, methamphetamine, oxycodone pills, hydromorphone pills, fentanyl and paraphernalia consistent with drug trafficking were all bagged for evidence and has an estimated street value of $1.6 million.

Of the three people charged, one of the suspects was previously arrested in Thunder Bay in January and March of 2019 and was convicted of trafficking cocaine.

There are a total of 34 charges against the two men and one woman, with all three being remanded into custody with future appearance dates.

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69 Charges Laid In Project Jules

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Ten people are facing a total of 69 charges following a drug bust in the Rainy River District.

Ontario Provincial Police executed a dozen search warrants at various places, include at a motel in downtown Fort Frances, in an operation dubbed Project Jules.

Over $70 thousand in charges and large quantities of cocaine, fentanyl, hydromorphone and crystal meth were seized.

Police estimate the street value of the drugs seized to be almost $500 thousand.

Police say it the two-month undercover operation was done in response to several drug overdoses in the region.

A total of 12 search warrants were executed resulting in 69 charges. Arrested and charged are:

27 year old Bryant ACHEAMPONG of Fort Frances, charged with:

Trafficking in Schedule 1 (cocaine) contrary to section 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
Possession of proceeds of crime contrary to section 354(1) (a) of the Criminal Code. X 2 counts
Fail to comply with release order contrary to section 145(5) (a) of the Criminal Code.
Trafficking of Schedule 1 (Fentanyl) contrary to section 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
ACHMEAPONG has been held in custody pending a bail hearing.

30 year old Ashley GAUTHIER of Fort Frances, charged with:

Trafficking of Schedule 1 (Fentanyl) contrary to section 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
Possession of proceeds of crime contrary to section 354(1) (a) of the Criminal Code. X 3 counts
Theft under $5000 contrary to section 334(b) of the Criminal Code
Fail to comply with release order contrary to section 145(5) (a) of the Criminal Code.
Trafficking in Schedule 1 (cocaine) contrary to section 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
GAUTHIER has been held in custody pending a bail hearing.

38 year old Leah HUNTER of Rainy River First Nation, charged with:

Trafficking of Schedule 1 (Fentanyl) contrary to section 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
Possession of proceeds of crime contrary to section 354(1) (a) of the Criminal Code. X 2 counts
Theft under $5000 contrary to section 334(b) of the Criminal Code
Carry a Weapon contrary to section 88 of the Criminal Code
HUNTER has been held in custody pending a bail hearing.

60 year old Kim BYEONG of Fort Frances, charged with:

Trafficking in Schedule 1 (cocaine) contrary to section 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
Possession of proceeds of crime contrary to section 354(1) (a) of the Criminal Code.
BYEONG was released from custody with a future court date of 19 July 2021 at the Fort Frances Ontario Court of Justice.

57 year old Timothy MAINVILLE of Couchiching First Nation, charged with:

Trafficking in Schedule 1 (cocaine) contrary to section 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
Possession of proceeds of crime contrary to section 354(1) (a) of the Criminal Code.
Knowledge of unauthorized possession of a firearm contrary to section 92(1) of the Criminal Code.
Careless storage of a firearm contrary to section 86(1) of the Criminal Code.
MAINVILLE was released from custody with a future court date of 26 July 2021 at the Fort Frances Ontario Court of Justice.

24 year old Katelynn MELINE of Fort Frances, charged with:

Trafficking in Schedule 1 (cocaine) contrary to section 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
Possession of proceeds of crime contrary to section 354(1) (a) of the Criminal Code.
MELINE was held in custody pending a bail hearing.
27 year old Stuart SANGSTER of La Vallee Twp., charged with:
Trafficking in Schedule 1 (cocaine) contrary to section 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
Possession of proceeds of crime contrary to section 354(1) (a) of the Criminal Code.
SANGSTER was held in custody pending a bail hearing.

30 year old Adream SPOON of Fort Frances, charged with:

Trafficking in Schedule 1 (cocaine) contrary to section 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
Possession of proceeds of crime contrary to section 354(1) (a) of the Criminal Code.
SPOON was held in custody pending a bail hearing.

26 year old Scot TOLGONI of Atikokan, charged with:

Trafficking in Schedule 1 (cocaine) contrary to section 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
Possession of proceeds of crime contrary to section 354(1) (a) of the Criminal Code.
TOLGONI was held in custody pending a bail hearing.

23 year old Fawn PERRAULT of Big Grassy First Nation, charged with:

Fail to comply with release order contrary to section 145(5)(a) of the Criminal Code
Trafficking in Schedule 1 (methamphetamine) contrary to section 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
PERRAULT was held in custody pending a bail hearing.

33 year old Kayla COPENACE of Big Grassy First Nation, charged with:

Trafficking in Schedule 1 (methamphetamine) contrary to section 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. X 2 counts
COPENACE was held in custody pending a bail hearing.

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2 Charged In Fort Frances Fentanyl Bust

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Provincial Police seized over $8,000 worth of Fentanyl in Fort Frances.

OPP are out with the details of a drug bust that happened on July 16th following seven suspected Fentanyl overdoses in the town and surrounding First Nation communities.

Officers searched a home on 3rd Street West between Lillie and York Avenues and found the drugs along with some cash and drug paraphernalia.

They arrested a local 47-year-old man and 58-year-old woman who are both facing drug trafficking charges,

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Drug Trafficking Charges In Fort Frances

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Three people have been charged with drug trafficking in Fort Frances.

Provincial Police stopped a vehicle Sunday on Portage Avenue as officers were attempting to speak with the driver about an earlier incident.

During the stop officers found and seized a quantity of fentanyl, cash and drug related paraphernalia.

OPP say 35 year old Sean Bragg of Fort Frances, 38 year old Leah Hunter of Rainy River First Nation and 24 year old Taylor Perrault of Nicickousemenecaning, have been charged with the following offences:

  • Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking- other drugs CDSA 5(2)
  • Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime under $5000 CC 354(1)(a)

Hunter and Perrault have been released on an Undertaking to appear in court.

Bragg remains in custody.