FORT FRANCES – The Fort Frances OPP report that on 16 July 2020, officers, in conjunction with the North West Region Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau conducted a search warrant at 300 Third Street West in Fort Frances, ON.
The police investigation stemmed from efforts resulting from seven suspected Fentanyl related overdoses within the Town of Fort Frances and surrounding First Nation Communities in the 24 hours leading up to the investigation.
As a result of the Controlled Drug and Substances Act warrant, police seized over 10 grams of Fentanyl (Yellow Down) with a street value of $8,000 CDN. In addition, a quantity of Canadian currency and drug paraphernalia were also seized.
Jason ALEXA, age 47 years of Fort Frances, ON was arrested and charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purposes of Trafficking contrary to section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) and Possession of Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime under $5000 contrary to section 354(1)a of the Criminal Code of Canada (CCC). He was released by way of an Undertaking before a Justice of the Peace at a bail hearing. His next Fort Frances Ontario Court of Justice appearance will be 28 September 2020 at 9:30 am.
Beatrice McGINNIS, age 58 years of Fort Frances, ON was arrested and charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purposes of Trafficking contrary to section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) and Possession of Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime under $5000 contrary to section 354(1)a of the Criminal Code of Canada (CCC). She was released by way of an Undertaking before a Peace Officer. Her next Fort Frances Ontario Court of Justice appearance will be 17 August 2020 at 9:30 am.
If you have any information about the trafficking of fentanyl or any other illicit drugs in the Rainy River District, call the OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2000. You may also report online at: http://www.p3tips.com/273.
None of the charges have been proven in court.
Helping Get Drug Dealers out of Your Neighbourhood
If a property is being used for an illegal activity you may notice some common signs.
Seeing one of these signs doesn’t always mean illegal activity is going on, but if they happen often or together, a problem may exist.
Some common signs of illegal activity include:
- frequent visitors at all times of the day and night
- frequent late night activity
- extensive home security
- residents that are rarely seen, distant or secretive
- windows blackened or curtains always drawn
- neglected property and yard
- people repeatedly visiting the property who only go to the door for a short time
- residents who regularly meet vehicles near the property for a short time
- strange odours coming from the house or garbage
- garbage that contains numerous bottles and containers, particularly chemical containers
- putting garbage in a neighbour’s collection area
If there’s a suspicious property in your neighbourhood, don’t investigate it or approach its residents. You can safely and confidentially report a suspicious property to the police.
