Seven Arrested, Including Five from GTA, in Drug Trafficking Investigation
THUNDER BAY – NEWS – Thunder Bay Police Service officers executed search warrants at two residences on Windsor Street and Picton Avenue on Tuesday evening, February 26, leading to the seizure of suspected drugs, cash, and a handgun.
The searches, conducted by the TBPS Intelligence Unit as part of an ongoing drug trafficking investigation, resulted in the arrest of seven individuals—five from the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and two from Thunder Bay.
Seized Items and Charges
During the operation, police confiscated suspected cocaine, fentanyl, cash, and paraphernalia linked to drug trafficking. A handgun was also seized from one of the locations.
The following individuals face multiple charges:
Charged with Drug Trafficking and Firearm Offenses
- Jante Richard EXCELL, 24, North York
- Vernon Joseph MOONIAS, 53, Thunder Bay
- Richard SMART-CURTIS, 28, North York
- Keyshon THOMAS-MORRIS, 22, North York
Charges:
✔ Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (Cocaine)
✔ Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (Fentanyl)
✔ Possession of Proceeds of Crime Under $5,000
✔ Careless Storage of a Firearm
✔ Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm
✔ Knowledge of Possession of Unauthorized Firearm
THOMAS-MORRIS also faces additional charges of Breach of Release Order and Breach of Undertaking.
Charged with Drug Trafficking
- Moses MERCHANT, 19, North York
- Jahdai TAPPER, 19, Toronto
- Vanessa Celeste UCHACZ, 44, Thunder Bay
Charges:
✔ Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (Cocaine)
✔ Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (Fentanyl)
✔ Possession of Proceeds of Crime Under $5,000
UCHACZ also faces an additional charge of Breach of Release Order.
Court Appearances
All seven accused individuals appeared in court on Wednesday and remain in custody pending future court dates.
Thunder Bay Police continue their efforts to combat drug trafficking and related criminal activity in the region.
