(MARKDLAE, ON) Grey Bruce Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have charged five individuals following a drug trafficking investigation that began in the fall of 2025. The investigation focused on a residence on Wellington Street in Markdale, within the Municipality of Grey Highlands.
On January 16, 2026, at approximately 5:42 a.m., members of the OPP Tactics and RescueUnit (TRU), Emergency Response Team (ERT), and the OPP Canine Unit executed a Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) search warrant at the residence. Several individuals were located inside and arrested without incident.
Members of the Grey Bruce Community Street Crime Unit (CSCU), with assistance from Huron Perth CSCU and Wellington CSCU, conducted a search of the residence. Officers seized controlled substances with an approximate potential street value of $15,000, approximately $3,000 in Canadian currency, and recovered suspected stolen property valued at approximately $30,000.
Officers seized the following controlled substances:
- Approximately 77 grams of suspected fentanyl
- Approximately 40 grams of suspected cocaine
- Approximately 29 grams of suspected methamphetamine
- Multiple suspected ecstasy pills
- Multiple suspected 5 mg oxycodone pills
- Multiple suspected clonazepam pills
The following persons were charged under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) and the Criminal Code (CC):
Christopher SANDERSON, 48‑years‑old, from Markdale
• Possession of Schedule I (Cocaine) for the Purpose of Trafficking – 1 count (CDSA)
• Possession of Schedule I (Methamphetamine) for the Purpose of Trafficking – 1 count (CDSA)
• Possession of Schedule I (Fentanyl) for the Purpose of Trafficking – 1 count (CDSA)
• Possession of Schedule I (Oxycodone) for the Purpose of Trafficking – 1 count (CDSA)
• Possession of Schedule IV (Clonazepam) for the Purpose of Trafficking – 1 count (CDSA)
• Possession of a Prohibited Weapon – 3 counts (CC)
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000 – 1 count (CC)
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000 – 1 count (CC)
• Fail to Comply with Probation Order – 1 count (CC)
• Possession of Break‑in Instruments – 1 count (CC)
Katelyn RILL, 30‑years‑old, from Hanover
• Possession of Schedule I (Cocaine) for the Purpose of Trafficking – 1 count (CDSA)
• Possession of Schedule I (Methamphetamine) for the Purpose of Trafficking – 1 count (CDSA)
• Possession of Schedule I (Fentanyl) for the Purpose of Trafficking – 1 count (CDSA)
• Possession of Schedule I (Oxycodone) for the Purpose of Trafficking – 1 count (CDSA)
• Possession of Schedule IV (Clonazepam) for the Purpose of Trafficking – 1 count (CDSA)
• Possession of a Prohibited Weapon – 3 counts (CC)
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000 – 1 count (CC)
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000 – 1 count (CC)
• Possession of Break‑in Instruments – 1 count (CC)
Jason LEMBKE, 52‑years‑old, from Markdale
• Possession of Cocaine – 1 count (CDSA)
• Possession of Fentanyl – 1 count (CDSA)
• Possession of a Prohibited Weapon – 1 count (CC)
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000 – 1 count (CC)
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000 – 1 count (CC)
• Possession of Ammunition Contrary to Prohibition Order – 1 count (CC)
Daniel SHPAK, 45‑years‑old, from Markdale
• Possession of Cocaine – 1 count (CDSA)
• Possession of Fentanyl – 1 count (CDSA) • Possession of Ecstasy – 1 count (CDSA)
• Possession of a Prohibited Weapon – 3 counts (CC)
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000 – 1 count (CC)
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000 – 1 count (CC)
Serena GRIFFITH, 32‑years‑old, from Markdale
• Possession of Cocaine – 1 count (CDSA)
• Possession of Fentanyl – 1 count (CDSA)
• Possession of Ecstasy – 1 count (CDSA)
• Possession of a Prohibited Weapon – 3 counts (CC)
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000 – 1 count (CC)
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000 – 1 count (CC)
All accused appeared for bail hearings at the Ontario Court of Justice in Owen Sound on January 16, 2026. GRIFFITH was released on a court order on January 16. RILL was released on a court order on January 20. LEMBKE was released on a court order on January 22. SANDERSON and SHPAK remain in custody.
If you or anyone you know has information that would assist in this investigation, please call the Grey County OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or submit a secure web-tip at www.cstip.ca, where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2000.