THUNDER BAY – NEWS UPDATED – More details from the Project Disruption Joint Task Force arrests released on Thursday. The Police investigators with the Project Disruption joint task force executed two search warrants that resulted in drug seizures and arrests on Wednesday, May 8.
Both warrants were products of an ongoing investigation into drug and gang activity in the city.
The first warrant focused on an address in the 300 block of South Syndicate Avenue. Officers entered the residence at about 5 pm. on Wednesday and arrested nine individuals. Three were released without conditions, while the remaining six were taken into custody.
As a result of the continued investigation, officers located crack cocaine and powdered cocaine, about $500 CAD, and paraphernalia consistent with drug trafficking. The drugs seized have an estimated street value of nearly $40,000 CAD.
A second search warrant focused on an address in the 600 block of Southern Avenue.
Officers gained entrance of that residence just before 5:30 pm on Wednesday. A male who met officers at the door attempted to push them away and prevent them from entry before then trying to flee the scene.
The male was arrested after a struggle that led to an officer becoming injured.
A second male who also tried to prevent officers from entering was arrested. Four others inside the residence were also arrested at the scene.
Following a search of the residence officers located a small quantity of suspected cocaine, paraphernalia consistent with drug trafficking, a semi-automatic rifle and ammunition.
As a result of these investigations, the following people have been charged:
As a result of these investigations, the following people have been charged:
• Ross Joseph Patrick HAGAN, 21, of Toronto: Possession of Cocaine for Purpose of Trafficking; Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000; Unauthorized Possession of Firearm
• Andrew Thomas OTWAY-GILBERDS, 28, of Thunder Bay: Possession of Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking; Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000; Unauthorized Possession of Firearm; Resist Peace Officer; Probation Order – Non Compliance
• Dustin Gary WARD, 34, of Thunder Bay: Possession of Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking; Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000; Unauthorized Possession of Firearm
• Zeeshaan ALI, 25, of Toronto: Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000; Possession of Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking
• Denis Terry BERNARD, 35, of Rocky Bay First Nation: Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000; Possession of Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking; Failing to Comply with Condition Undertaking
• Troy Robert GLIDDEN, 34, of Thunder Bay: Obstruct Peace Officer; Possession of Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking; Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000
• Jeffrey Raymond JACKSON, 35, of Thunder Bay: Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000; Possession of Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking
• Said Mohamed KEYLIYE, 23, of Toronto: Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000; Possession of Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking
• James Matthew ST AMAND: 56, of Thunder Bay: Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000; Possession of Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking
JACKSON appeared in court Thursday and was released with a future appearance date. All other accused persons appeared in court Thursday and were remanded into custody with a future appearance date.
Project Disruption is an ongoing specialized joint force operation that includes resources and members from the Bay Police Service’s intelligence unit, OPP, Nishnawbe Aski Police Service and Anishinabek Police Service.
An earlier version of this report had one of the names listed in the TBPS media release with the wrong name. This report has been updated to reflect that change.
