Drug Bust – Names Released

(ESPANOLA, ON) – The Manitoulin Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have executed a search warrant in Espanola, leading to the arrest of two individuals as part of an ongoing drug trafficking investigation.

On May 6, 2025, the Manitoulin OPP Community Street Crime Unit (CSCU), with assistance from Manitoulin OPP members, executed a search warrant on a residence in Espanola. During the search, police seized a quantity of suspected drugs and arrested two people.

The suspected drugs seized included an amount of suspected cocaine with an estimated street value of $3,500, an amount of suspected fentanyl with an estimated street value of $21,800, an amount of suspected oxycodone pills with an estimated street value of $150, and $2,550 in Canadian currency.

Shawn BOWLES, 49-years-old from Espanola, was charged with:

• Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – cocaine
• Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking (opioid) – two counts
• Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime under $5,000

Matthew EVBUOMWAN, 19-years-old from Ajax, was charged with:

• Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – cocaine
• Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking (opioid) – two counts
• Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime under $5,000
• Obstruct peace officer
• Fail to comply with sentence

Both accused are scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice Bail Court today, May 7, 2025.

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