Project Coast Sees 341 Charges on 55 People in Drug Operation

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Project Coast
Project Coast
Project Coast
Project Coast

TIMMINS – NEWS – The Ontario Provincial Police and Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service have made a major drug bust. Project Coast has been an eight month long investigation that while still ongoing had twenty-one search warrants exercised and huge amounts of drugs and cash seized.

“The trafficking of illegal and prescription drugs brings an element of society into our communities that engage in further criminal behaviours to protect their enterprises. By working collaboratively with our police partners and mobilizing community leaders, the individuals who target our people have been arrested and charged as we tackle several challenging issues,” commented Chief Terry ARMSTRONG, Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service.

“Project COAST demonstrates that the OPP will do whatever it takes to support our police and Aboriginal community partners to support the wellness of our most vulnerable communities and prevent further harm and victimization,” stated Commissioner J.V.N. (Vince) HAWKES, Ontario Provincial Police.

In November 2015, the Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service (NAPS) and Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau (OCEB) began a joint investigation to identify and dismantle drug distribution networks trafficking prescription medications and illicit drugs to communities in northeastern Ontario. The lengthy investigation focussed on the Timmins and Chapleau area and James Bay coastal communities, noting these drugs typically sell at four times the street price compared to urban centres, providing considerable profit incentive for criminals to exploit vulnerable residents in Aboriginal communities.

Law Enforcement Officials release details of major drug operation in Northern Ontario
Law Enforcement Officials release details of major drug operation in Northern Ontario

At a news conference in Timmins, NAPS Chief Terry ARMSTRONG, OPP Deputy Commissioner Rick BARNUM, Timmins Police Chief John GAUTHIER and Anishinabek Police Service Deputy Chief Dave WHITLOW unveiled details of the investigation and displayed samples of the evidence seized during the six-month probe. They were joined by Nishnawbe-Aski Nation leaders who provided insight into the challenges and devastating impacts illegal drugs and misuse of prescription medications have had on their citizens.

The twenty-one search warrants were executed earlier this month at locations across northern and eastern Ontario, where police seized the following drugs:

  • 57,792 methamphetamine pills
  • 7,229 oxycodone pills
  • 706 grams of cocaine
  • 476.6 grams of marijuana
  • 154.25 fentanyl patches

Investigators also seized more than $252,000, a shotgun and a bulletproof vest.

Ontario Regional Chief Isadore Day states, “NAPS has done a great job. The issues on this run quite deep. Often the unseen victims here remain suffering from poverty, violence and various forms of mental health and addiction issues.  It will remain a challenge until there is a unified effort with crown governments to deal with the systemic issues underlying this terrible industry.”

Day adds, “For today, congratulations for all involved in suppressing the flow of illicit drugs and perpetuating an industry that is killing our people. Chiefs in Assembly across Ontario look at this type of initiative and we are very encouraged by the level of coordination and response of law enforcement.  Now we need to continue our efforts to address the core issues and continue to create bridges, partnerships and make investments toward change. Health; Social; Economy; Infrastructure; etc., we must ensure that all the weight is not placed on drug busts to fix the issues. This is a great start – and it is just one piece of the solution”.

Nishnawbe-Aski Nation Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler states, “We congratulate Chief Terry Armstrong and all of the officers who participated in this seven-month investigation which has seized millions of dollars’ worth of narcotics destined for NAN First Nations. We are proud of these officers and their outstanding efforts to keep drugs away from our children and communities. NAPS is not funded to conduct major criminal investigations, but the success of this investigation shows the need for adequate resources including a coordinated drug unit.”

Police have laid 341 charges against 55 people.

List of Persons Facing Project Coast Charges

NAME AGE CITY OF RESIDENCE CHARGE COURT & DATE and LOCATION of COURT
Aaron WAPACHEE 37 TIMMINS, ON •       Trafficking sec. 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act x 1

•       Possession of Property Obtained by Crime sec. 354(1)(a) of the Criminal Code x 1

 

 

Date: June 28/16

Abel SOLANO- SANTANA 37 OTTAWA, ON •       Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking sec. 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act x 1

•       Possession of Property Obtained by Crime sec. 354(1)(a) of the Criminal Code x 1

 

Date: TBD

Adnan FAZELI 31 OTTAWA, ON •       Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking sec. 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act x 2

•       Possession of Property Obtained by Crime sec. 354(1)(a) of the Criminal Code x 1

 

Date: TBD

Albert WESLEY 33 MOOSONEE, ON •       Trafficking sec. 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act x 2

•       Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking sec. 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act x 1

•       Possession of Property Obtained by Crime sec. 354(1)(a) of the Criminal Code x 1

 

 

 

Date: June 28/16

Alexis HOOKIMAW 20 MOOSE FACTORY, ON •       Possession of Substance sec. 4(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act x 1

•       Possession of Property Obtained by Crime sec. 354(1)(a) of the Criminal Code x1

 

 

Date: June 28/16

 

NAME AGE CITY OF RESIDENCE CHARGE COURT & DATE and LOCATION of COURT
Andrew LINKLATER 36 MOOSONEE, ON •       Possession of Substance sec. 4(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act x 1

•       Trafficking sec. 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act x 2

•       Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking sec. 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act x 3

•       Possession of Property Obtained by Crime sec. 354(1)(a) of the Criminal Code x 2

 

 

 

 

Date: June 28/16

Angela NESHAWABIN 34 CHAPLEAU, ON •       Trafficking sec. 5(1) of Controlled Drugs and Substances Act x 5

•       Possession of Property Obtained by Crime sec. 354(1)(a) of the Criminal Code x 5

 

Date: TBD

Beverly SAUNDERS 36 CHAPLEAU, ON •       Trafficking sec. 5(1) of Controlled Drugs and Substances Act x 1  

Date: TBD

 

 

 

 

William TURGEON

 

 

 

 

24

 

 

 

 

TIMMINS, ON

•       Possession of Substance sec. 4(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act x 1

•       Trafficking sec. 5(1) of Controlled Drugs and Substances Act x 13

•       Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking sec. 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act x 1

•       Possession of Property Obtained by Crime sec. 354(1)(a) of the Criminal Code x 11

 

 

 

 

Date: TBD

 

Brandon VIGNOLA

 

22

 

TIMMINS, ON

•       Trafficking sec. 5(1) of Controlled Drugs and Substances Act x 1  

Date: TBD

 

NAME AGE CITY OF RESIDENCE CHARGE COURT & DATE and LOCATION of COURT
 

 

 

 

Brittney HAWBOLDT

 

 

 

 

20

 

 

 

 

TORONTO, ON

•       Trafficking sec. 5(1) of Controlled Drugs and Substances Act x 2

•       Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking sec. 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act X 1

•       Possession of Property Obtained by Crime sec. 354(1)(a) of the Criminal Code x 1

•       Obstruct Police sec. 129 of the Criminal Code X 1

 

 

 

 

Date: May 28/16

 

 

 

Cheryl CHEECHOO

 

 

 

38

 

 

MOOSONEE, ON

•       Trafficking sec. 5(1) of Controlled Drugs and Substances Act x 2

•       Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking sec. 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act X 1

•       Possession of Property Obtained by Crime sec. 354(1)(a) of the Criminal Code x 1

 

 

 

Date: June 28/16

 

Christopher HEWITT

 

30

 

OTTAWA, ON

 

•       Fail to Comply with Recognizance sec. 145(3) of the Criminal Code x 2

 

Date: TBD

 

Daniel GOBEIL

 

30

 

TIMMINS, ON

 

•       Fail to Comply with Probation Order sec. 733.1(1) of the Criminal Code x 1

 

Date: TBD

 

Darrell JAMES

 

54

 

TIMMINS, ON

•       Trafficking sec. 5(1) of Controlled Drugs and Substances Act x 2

•       Possession of Property Obtained by Crime sec. 354(1)(a) of the Criminal Code x 2

 

Date: June 28/16

 

Darrell SAUNDERS

 

33

 

CHAPLEAU, ON

•       Trafficking sec. 5(1) of Controlled Drugs and Substances Act x 3

•       Possession of Property Obtained by Crime sec. 354(1)(a) of the Criminal Code x 2

 

Date: TBD

 

NAME AGE CITY OF RESIDENCE CHARGE COURT & DATE and LOCATION of COURT
 

David AMBEAU

 

38

 

TIMMINS, ON

•       Trafficking sec. 5(1) of Controlled Drugs and Substances Act x 1  

Date: TBD

 

David FARIES

 

30

 

MOOSE FACTORY, ON

•       Trafficking sec. 5(1) of Controlled Drugs and Substances Act x 14

•       Possession of Property Obtained by Crime sec. 354(1)(a) of the Criminal Code x 14

 

Date: TBD

 

Desiree WABANO

 

30

 

MOOSONEE, ON

•       Trafficking sec. 5(1) of Controlled Drugs and Substances Act x 2

•       Possession of Property Obtained by Crime sec. 354(1)(a) of the Criminal Code x 1

 

Date: June 28/16

 

Devin ETHERINGTON

 

38

 

MOOSONEE, ON

•       Trafficking sec. 5(1) of Controlled Drugs and Substances Act x 6

•       Possession of Property Obtained by Crime sec. 354(1)(a) of the Criminal Code x 6

 

Date: TBD

 

Dominik GAMACHE

 

23

 

TIMMINS, ON

•       Trafficking sec. 5(1) of Controlled Drugs and Substances Act x 5

•       Possession of Property Obtained by Crime sec. 354(1)(a) of the Criminal Code x 5

 

Date: TBD

 

 

Edgar TURGEON

 

 

27

 

 

TIMMINS, ON

•       Possession of Substance sec. 4(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act x 1

•       Trafficking sec. 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act x 5

•       Possession of Property Obtained by Crime sec. 354(1)(a) of the Criminal Code x 3

 

 

Date: TBD

 

 

Edward GAGNON

 

 

23

 

 

MOOSE FACTORY, ON

•       Possession of Substance sec. 4(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act x1

•       Trafficking sec. 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act x 7

•       Possession of Property Obtained by Crime sec. 354(1)(a) of the Criminal Code x 8

 

 

Date: TBD

 

NAME AGE CITY OF RESIDENCE CHARGE COURT & DATE and LOCATION of COURT
 

 

 

 

Edward JAMES

 

 

 

 

52

 

 

 

 

SUDBURY, ON

•       Possession of Substance sec. 4(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act x 1

•       Trafficking sec. 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act x 3

•       Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking sec. 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act x 3

•       Possession of Property Obtained by Crime sec. 354(1)(a) of the Criminal Code x 1

 

 

 

 

Date: June 28/16

 

Edward NAKOGEE

 

42

 

TIMMINS, ON

•       Trafficking sec. 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act x 5

•       Possession of Property Obtained by Crime sec. 354(1)(a) of the Criminal Code x 4

 

Date: TBD

 

Eric LOON

 

45

FORT ALBANY, ON •       Trafficking sec. 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act x 1  

Date: TBD

 

Evelyn WESLEY

 

66

 

MOOSE FACTORY, ON

•       Trafficking sec. 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act x 1

•       Possession of Property Obtained by Crime sec. 354(1)(a) of the Criminal Code x 1

 

Date: TBD

 

 

Holli KASABOSKI

 

 

29

 

 

RENFREW, ON

•       Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking sec. 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act X 1

•       Possession of Property Obtained by Crime sec. 354(1)(a) of the Criminal Code x 1

 

 

Date: TBD

Holli LARCHER 36 CHAPLEAU, ON •       Trafficking sec. 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act x 4 Date: TBD
 

Hyani RUTARE

 

20

 

OTTAWA, ON

•       Trafficking sec. 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act x 1

•       Possession of Property Obtained by Crime sec. 354(1)(a) of the Criminal Code x 1

 

Date: TBD

 

NAME AGE CITY OF RESIDENCE CHARGE COURT & DATE and LOCATION of COURT
 

Ian BENEDICIC

 

26

 

FOLEYET, ON

•       Trafficking sec. 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act x 4

•       Possession of Property Obtained by Crime sec. 354(1)(a) of the Criminal Code x 4

 

Date: TBD

 

 

James ALISAPPI

 

 

20

 

 

MOOSONEE, ON

•       Possession of Substance sec. 4(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act x 2

•       Possession of Prohibited Weapon sec. 92(2) of the Criminal Code x 1

•       Possession of Property Obtained by Crime sec. 354(1)(a) of the Criminal Code x 1

 

 

Date: June 28/16

 

James FARIES

 

46

 

MOOSE FACTORY, ON

•       Trafficking sec. 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act x 1

•       Possession of Property Obtained by Crime sec. 354(1)(a) of the Criminal Code x 1

 

Date: TBD

 

 

 

 

Jasmin MATHEWS

 

 

 

 

28

 

 

 

 

TIMMINS, ON

•       Possession of Substance sec. 4(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act x 1

•       Trafficking sec. 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act x 2

•       Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking sec. 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act X 3

•       Possession of Property Obtained by Crime sec. 354(1)(a) of the Criminal Code x 2

 

 

 

 

Date: TBD

 

 

 

 

Jennifer OKIMAW

 

 

 

 

39

 

 

 

MOOSONEE, ON

•       Possession of Substance sec. 4(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act x 1

•       Trafficking sec. 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act x 2

•       Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking sec. 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act X 3

•       Possession of Property Obtained by Crime sec. 354(1)(a) of the Criminal Code x 2

 

 

 

 

Date: TBD

 

NAME AGE CITY OF RESIDENCE CHARGE COURT & DATE and LOCATION of COURT
 

Joni SOLOMON

 

30

 

MOOSONEE, ON

•       Trafficking sec. 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act x 2

•       Possession of Property Obtained by Crime sec. 354(1)(a) of the Criminal Code x 2

 

Date: June 28/16

 

 

John Paul (J.P.) BEGIN

 

 

 

47

 

 

CHAPLEAU, ON

•       Trafficking sec. 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act x 11

•       Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking sec. 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act x 2

•       Possession of Property Obtained by Crime sec. 354(1)(a) of the Criminal Code x 11

 

 

 

Date: TBD

 

 

John WESLEY

 

 

59

 

MOOSE FACTORY, ON

•       Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking sec. 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act x 1

•       Possession of Property Obtained by Crime sec. 354(1)(a) of the Criminal Code x 1

 

 

Date: TBD

 

 

 

 

Joshua DESJARLAIS

 

 

 

 

28

 

 

 

NORTH YORK, ON

•       Possession of Substance sec. 4(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act x 1

•       Trafficking sec. 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act x 2

•       Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking sec. 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act X 3

•       Possession of Property Obtained by Crime sec. 354(1)(a) of the Criminal Code x 2

 

 

 

 

Date: TBD

 

 

Kevin SAUNDERS

 

 

35

 

BRUNSWICK HOUSE FIRST NATION, ON

•       Possession of Substance sec. 4(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act x 1

•       Trafficking sec. 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act x 3

•       Possession of Property Obtained by Crime sec. 354(1)(a) of the Criminal Code x 2

 

 

Date: TBD

 

NAME AGE CITY OF RESIDENCE CHARGE COURT & DATE and LOCATION of COURT
 

Young Person

 

n/a

 

OTTAWA, ON

•       Trafficking sec. 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act x 1

•       Possession of Property Obtained by Crime sec. 354(1)(a) of the Criminal Code x 1

 

Date: TBD

 

Lucy-Ann MOAR

 

29

 

MOOSE FACTORY, ON

•       Trafficking sec. 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act x 1

•       Possession of Property Obtained by Crime sec. 354(1)(a) of the Criminal Code x 1

 

Date: June 28/16

 

 

Michael CHENIER

 

 

31

 

 

ORLEANS, ON

•       Trafficking sec. 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act x 1

•       Operation While Disqualified sec. 259(4) of the Criminal Code x 6

•       Possession of Property Obtained by Crime sec. 354(1)(a) of the Criminal Code x 2

 

 

Date: TBD

 

 

Michelle MOUSSEAU

 

 

23

 

 

OTTAWA, ON

•       Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking sec. 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act X 2

•       Possession of Property Obtained by Crime sec. 354(1)(a) of the Criminal Code x 1

 

 

Date: TBD

 

 

 

 

Nicholas CORMIER

 

 

 

 

20

 

 

 

 

TIMMINS, ON

•       Trafficking sec. 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act x 5

•       Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking sec. 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act X 3

•       Possession of Property Obtained by Crime sec. 354(1)(a) of the Criminal Code x 6

•       Possession of Counterfeit Currency sec. 450(b) of the Criminal Code X 1

 

 

 

 

Date: TBD

 

Patrick GALLANT

 

26

 

OTTAWA, ON

•       Possession of Substance sec. 4(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act x 1

•       Trafficking sec. 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act x 2

 

Date: TBD

 

NAME AGE CITY OF RESIDENCE CHARGE COURT & DATE and LOCATION of COURT
 

Rejean GRAVEL

 

48

 

SCHUMACHER, ON

•       Trafficking sec. 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act x 2

•       Possession of Property Obtained by Crime sec. 354(1)(a) of the Criminal Code x 3

 

Date: TBD

 

 

Richard FARQUHARSON

 

 

 

21

 

 

MOOSONEE, ON

•       Trafficking sec. 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act x 4

•       Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking sec. 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act X 4

•       Possession of Property Obtained by Crime sec. 354(1)(a) of the Criminal Code x 3

 

 

 

Date: TBD

 

 

Roy GOLDEN

 

 

55

 

BRUNSWICK HOUSE FIRST NATION, ON

•       Possession of Substance sec. 4(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act x 1

•       Trafficking sec. 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act x 3

•       Possession of Property Obtained by Crime sec. 354(1)(a) of the Criminal Code x 3

 

 

Date: TBD

 

Russell WILLIAMS

 

25

 

MOOSONEE, ON

•       Trafficking sec. 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act x 2

•       Possession of Property Obtained by Crime sec. 354(1)(a) of the Criminal Code x 2

 

Date: June 28/16

 

Sharon SAUNDERS

 

42

 

CHAPLEAU, ON

•       Trafficking sec. 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act x 2

•       Possession of Property Obtained by Crime sec. 354(1)(a) of the Criminal Code x 2

 

Date: TBD

Steven EDWARDS 27 TIMMINS, ON •       Trafficking sec. 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act x 1 Date: TBD
 

Terrance SAUNDERS

 

34

 

CHAPLEAU, ON

•       Trafficking sec. 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act x 2

•       Possession of Property Obtained by Crime sec. 354(1)(a) of the Criminal Code x 2

 

Date: TBD

 

NAME AGE CITY OF RESIDENCE CHARGE COURT & DATE and LOCATION of COURT
Valarie WHEESK 47 MOOSONEE, ON •       Trafficking sec. 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act x 1 Date: June 28/16
 

Wayne BRISCOE- SINOBERT

 

33

 

CHAPLEAU, ON

•       Trafficking sec. 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act x 5

•       Possession of Property Obtained by Crime sec. 354(1)(a) of the Criminal Code x 4

 

Date: TBD

 

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