**OPP NEWS RELEASE**

(TIMMINS, ON) – Four police services have again combined to stop a large scale drug trafficking operation that prompted a “State of Emergency” declaration in coastal communities in northeastern Ontario.

In November 2017, the Mushkegowuk Tribal Council acted upon what they described as a “pandemic caused by illegal drugs and alcohol (including prescription drugs) that continues to grow rapidly and is a very serious problem for the Mushkegowuk First Nations.” In response, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Provincial Operations Intelligence Bureau and Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau supported the Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service (NAPS) and collaborated with members of Timmins Police Service and Greater Sudbury Police Service on simultaneous joint investigations.

During the investigation, police seized quantities of illegal drugs including methamphetamine, fentanyl patches, heroin, cocaine, hydromorphone, Percocet and marihuana along with $82,000 worth of currency. The drugs seized have an estimated street value of more than $400,000.

Police have charged a total of 26 people in March and April, four of whom were identified as the primary participants. Charged with offences contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada (CC) and Controlled Drug and Substances Act (CDSA) are:

Amir ABDELRAHMAN, aged 54 years, of Toronto:

·       Possession of a Controlled Schedule 1 Substance – Fentanyl for the Purpose of   Trafficking (Section 5(2) CDSA).

·       Possession of a Controlled Schedule 1 Substance – (Section 4(1) CDSA).

·       Possession of Proceeds of property obtained by crime over $5,000 (Section 354(1) (A) CC).

 

Steven CARTY, aged 39 years, of Sudbury:

·       Possession of a Controlled Schedule 1 Substance – Fentanyl for the Purpose of Trafficking (Section 5(2) CDSA).

 

Kimberly HAWBOLDT, aged 42 years, of Toronto:

·       Possession of a Controlled Schedule 1 Substance – Fentanyl for the Purpose of Trafficking (Section 5(2) CDSA)

·       Possession of a Controlled Schedule 1 Substance – Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking (Section 5(2) CDSA)

·       Possession of Proceeds of property obtained by crime under $5,000 (Section 354(1)(a) CC).

 

Christopher CROCKER, aged 33 years, of Timmins:

·       Possession of a Controlled Schedule 1 – for the Purpose of Trafficking (Section 5(2) CDSA) x 2

·       Possession of a Controlled Schedule 2 – the Purpose of Trafficking (Section 5(2) CDSA)

·       Possession of Proceeds of property obtained by crime over $5000 (Section 354(1)(a) CC)

·       Possession of ammunition contrary to Prohibition order (Section 117.01 (1) CC)

 

Three of the accused have since been released on bail. The fourth (CARTY) remains in custody.

Police also acknowledge the assistance and contribution of the Toronto Police Service during this ongoing investigation.