GREENSTONE – CRIME – On June 21, 2018, at approximately 11:30 pm, members of the Greenstone Ontario Provincial Police (O.P.P.) were conducting a R.I.D.E. check on Highway 584 in the town of Geraldton, Ontario. Shortly after, a vehicle came through the checkpoint and the driver was known to the officer to be bound by a recognizance with a condition not to operate a motor vehicle.
The driver was arrested and a search incident to arrest resulted in the seizure of weapons a significant quantity of controlled drugs and substances including:
- Two conducted energy weapons (commonly known as stun guns), pepper spray, and knives;
- 56 grams of cocaine, worth an estimated street value of $5,600.00;
- 157 grams of crystal methamphetamine, worth an estimated street value of $31,400.00;
- 558 Percocet pills, worth an estimated street value of $11,160.00;
- 34 Ritalin pills, worth an estimated street value of $680.00;
- 21 Zipoclone pills (unknown value) ;
- 6 Suboxone pills (unknown value);
- 27 Xanax pills (unknown value);
- 57 grams of marihuana, worth an estimated street value of $1,140.00;
- 0.8 grams of heroin, worth an estimated street value of $300.00; and
- 23 morphine pills, worth an estimated street value of $1,125.00.
As a result, the driver, 25-year-old Marc QUIRION of Geraldton, Ontario, is charged with the following:
- Four counts of failure to comply with recognizance contrary to section 145(3) of the Criminal Code;
- Three counts of unauthorized possession of a weapon contrary to section 91(2) of the Criminal Code;
- Four counts of possession of a weapon contrary to prohibition order contrary to section 117.01(1) of the Criminal Code;
- Obstructing a peace officer contrary to section 129(a) of the Criminal Code;
- Six counts of possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking contrary to section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act;
- Possession of a schedule II substance for the purpose of trafficking contrary to section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act;
- Possession of a schedule III substance for the purpose of trafficking contrary to section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act; and
- Possession of a schedule IV substance for the purpose of trafficking contrary to section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
The passenger of the vehicle, 23-year-old Charise BANANISH, of Thunder Bay, Ontario, is also charged with the following;
- Three counts of unauthorized possession of a weapon contrary to section 91(2) of the Criminal Code;
- Six counts of possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking contrary to section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act;
- Possession of a schedule II substance for the purpose of trafficking contrary to section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act;
- Possession of a schedule III substance for the purpose of trafficking contrary to section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act; and
- Possession of a schedule IV substance for the purpose of trafficking contrary to section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
Both accused were held at the Greenstone O.P.P. detachment for a bail hearing and subsequently remanded into custody.
Following from this initial investigation Greenstone OPP enlisted the aid of the Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau (OCEB) and their local Community Street Crime Unit (CSCU) member. They assisted with obtaining and executing a search warrant at the residence of Marc QUIRION which yielded additional weapons and suspected controlled drugs and substances further charges are pending.
