On April 26th, 2024 the Saugeen Shoes Police Service’s Criminal Investigations and Drug Unit, in partnership with the OPP Grey-Bruce Community Street Crime Unit (CSCU) and policing partners, executed four search warrants in the municipalities of Saugeen Shores, Kincardine, and Brampton. As a result of these search warrants, five people have been charged with numerous criminal and drug related offences.
Police seized illicit drugs with an estimated street value of $126,000. In addition to the drugs, officers seized two handguns, one rifle and prohibited devices.
A complex investigation, of this nature, requires signficant resources and funding. Funding was provided by the Ontario Government’s Criminal Investigations Service of Ontario (CISO) with operational and resources provided by assisting agencies including – OPP Grey-Bruce CSCU, OPP Huron-Perth CSCU, OPP Wellington CSCU, OPP Elgin-Middlesex CSCU, OPP Oxford-Brant CSCU, Peel Regional Police Service, Guelph Police Service, Waterloo Regional Police Service and West Grey Police Service.
“These seizures are extremely significant.”, remarked Chief Kevin Zettel. “As a result of Project Riptide several prohibited devices, firearms, and a large quantity of illicit drugs are no longer available on our streets.”, added the Chief.
All charged were held for bail.
19-year-old male from Saugeen Shores:
- Possession of a prohibited device x 2
- Unauthorized possession of a firearm
- Careless storage of a firearm
- Possession for the purpose of trafficking – cocaine
- Possession of property obtained by crime
49-year-old male from Saugeen Shores:
- Trafficking – cocaine x 3
- Possession of prohibited device x 2
- Unauthorized possession of a firearm
- Careless storage of a firearm
- Possession for the purpose of trafficking (cocaine)
- Possession of property obtained by crime
35-year-old male from Saugeen Shores:
- Trafficking (cocaine)
- Possession for the purpose of trafficking – cocaine
- Possession – psilocybin
45-year-old male from Kincardine:
- Possession for the purpose of trafficking – cocaine
- Possession for the purpose of trafficking – fentanyl
- Possession for the purpose of trafficking – psilocybin
- Possession of proceeds of crime
- Possession of a prohibited device
- Unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm x 2
- Possession of a firearm knowing serial number has been tampered with
- Possession for the purpose of distributing
- Possessing cannabis for the purpose of selling
39-year-old male from Brampton:
- Trafficking – cocaine x 6
- Possession for the purpose of trafficking – cocaine
- Possession for the purpose of trafficking – fentanyl
- Possession for the purpose of trafficking – psilocybin
- Possession of proceeds of crime
- Possession of a prohibited device
- Unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm x 2
- Possession of a firearm knowing serial number has been tampered with
- Possession for the purpose of distributing
- Possessing cannabis for the purpose of selling