Two Tecumseh residents face multiple charges after OPP investigation into cocaine and opioid trafficking

TECUMSEH, ON – Two individuals have been charged with numerous firearm and drug-related offences after the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) executed a search warrant in Tecumseh, seizing four handguns and $120,000 in cash.

The investigation, led by the OPP Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau (OCEB), began in July 2024, targeting cocaine and opioid trafficking in Essex County. On September 24, 2024, OCEB officers, alongside the Essex County OPP Community Street Crime Unit, executed the search warrant, leading to the seizure of:

• Four handguns, including one loaded firearm
• A conducted energy weapon
• Suspected cocaine with an estimated street value of $20,000
• Approximately 5,700 oxycodone tablets
• $120,000 in Canadian currency

Charges

Refaat Farris, 47, of Tecumseh, faces 30 charges under the Criminal Code and Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, including:

• Possession of a firearm or ammunition contrary to prohibition order (four counts)
• Careless storage of a firearm or weapon (four counts)
• Possession of a weapon for dangerous purpose (four counts)
• Unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm (four counts)
• Knowledge of unauthorized possession of a firearm (four counts)
• Possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm with ammunition (four counts)
• Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000
• Possession for the purpose of trafficking (cocaine and opioid – two counts each)

Farris has been remanded in custody and is set to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Windsor on October 1, 2024.

Khadije Farris, 69, of Tecumseh, has been charged with 26 offences, including:

• Careless storage of a firearm or weapon (four counts)
• Possession of a weapon for dangerous purpose (four counts)
• Unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm (four counts)
• Knowledge of unauthorized possession of a firearm (four counts)
• Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000
• Possession for the purpose of trafficking (cocaine and opioid – two counts each)

Khadije Farris has been released and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Windsor on November 27, 2024.

Report Illegal Activities

The OPP encourages anyone with information regarding illegal drugs or firearms trafficking to contact them at 1-888-310-1122. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or ontariocrimestoppers.ca.