NORTH BAY — Thirty people, many of which are from north Almaguin and the North Bay area, are facing charges in connection with a joint initiative that saw methamphetamine, fentanyl, several cellphones, vehicles and nearly $18,000 in cash seized.
The joint initiative between the North Bay Police Service and the Ontario Provincial Police — titled Project Drifter — started in late September and continued through until today, Friday, Nov. 15.
According to Const. John Schultz, meetings between members of the both police services determined that many suspects involved in the distribution of opioids and methamphetamines were not bound by a specific geographical area in the Nipissing District.
“Initially, much of the enforcement centred on drug distribution in the downtown core of the City of North Bay,” Schultz continued. “This enforcement increased not only arrests but also interaction with individuals, resulting in several other open investigations being solved by way of criminal charges.”
By sharing resources, the investigative team, he adds, continues work together to identify and take enforcement action against those involved in the illegal sale of controlled substances that manipulate and take advantage of individuals struggling with substance abuse.
“Project Drifter has seen many long hours by investigators,” Schultz concluded. “Interviews, surveillance, writing search warrants and other investigative techniques were utilized.”
Since this collaborative team began a joint investigation in late September, a total of 30 people have been arrested and charged, with a total of 106 charges that are before the courts.
All the accused are from the North Bay area — including North Bay, West Nipissing, Bonfield, Callander, Hanmer, and Temiskaming and Kipawa in Quebec.
During the investigation, the following was seized: 274.3 grams of suspected Fentanyl, 15 suspected fentanyl patches, six g of suspected heroine, 364 g of suspected methamphetamine, 5.5 g of suspected cocaine, six Percocet tablets, 0.3 g of suspected shatter, 30 g of suspected marijuana, 14 cellphones, 12 firearms and a total of $17,291.45 in Canadian currency.
Four motor vehicles have also been seized: a 2011 Honda Accord on an offence-related property as well as a Honda SRV, Chevrolet Camaro and Chevrolet Canyon, all impounded for HTA offences.
The following is a list of people charged in connection with Project Drifter:
Fabian Beaucage of West Nipissing; James Hendry of North Bay; Benjamin Scriver of Sturgeon Falls; Erik Sholette of Patterson Township; Cory Lamarre of Bonfield; Zoe Gates-Healey of East Ferris; Justin Vaillancourt of North Bay; Michelle Bryant of Hamilton; Brandt Moore of North Bay; Eric Jodouin of Hanmer; Danielle Leduc-Mitchell of Temiskaming, Quebec; Helen Schroeder of Kipawa, Quebec; Roy Desvreaux of Callander; Stephanie Leclair of North Bay; Daniel Laroque of North Bay; Taylor Mackenzie of North Bay; Darian Lafrenier of North Bay; Michael Smith of North Bay; Jasmine Fitzgerald of West Nipissing; James Clinkard of North Bay; Reginald Burney-Lemure of North Bay; Savanna Gingras of North Bay; Kyle Kwiarkowski of North Bay; Jillian Mabey of North Bay; Theodore Doucette of Mattawa; Philip Lachance of Callander; Davis McCallum of North Bay; Jaska Venasse of North Bay; Benjamin Adams of North Bay; and Brian Fields of North Bay.
