(DRYDEN, ON) – An investigation led by the Dryden Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Community Street Crime Unit (CSCU), with assistance from the Northwest Region Emergency Response Team (ERT), Red Lake OPP CSCU, Sioux Lookout OPP CSCU, Kenora Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau (OCEB), Treaty Three Police Service, and members from the Dryden OPP Detachment has resulted in charges being laid against three individuals.
On Wednesday, April 1, 2026, just after 11:30 a.m. CDT, a traffic stop was conducted on Casimir Avenue, in the City of Dryden as part of the ongoing investigation. The traffic stop resulted in the arrest of a local resident and the seizure of suspected illicit drugs and Canadian currency.
Following the arrest, a search warrant was executed at a residence on Machin Avenue in the City of Dryden, resulting in the seizure of suspected illicit drugs including methamphetamine, cocaine, hydromorphone, and oxycodone as well as quantity of Canadian currency and further evidence of drug trafficking.
As a result of the investigation, three individuals from Dryden, Derek PALERMO, 37 years old, Rae KUSHNER, 39 years old, and Jason MARSTON, 51 years old have been charged under the Criminal Code and Controlled Drugs and Substances Act with the following offences:
- Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – cocaine
- Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – methamphetamine
- Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – hydromorphone
- Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – oxycodone
- Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime over $5000
Following a bail hearing on April 2, 2026, all three accused individuals have been released from custody and are scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice at a future date.
If you have any information about crime in our community, please contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122. To report minor occurrences online please visit www.opp.ca/reporting. You can also call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or submit your information online at www.ontariocrimestoppers.ca. If your information leads to an arrest, you may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000.