Jason SAMPLE Facing Drug & Weapons Charges

(THUNDER BAY, ON) – A Thunder Bay resident is facing 14 charges under the Criminal Code (CC) and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA), including charges relating to possession of a loaded firearm with an altered serial number.

In January 2025, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP)-led Provincial Guns and Gangs Enforcement Team (PGNG) began an investigation into drug trafficking activity in Thunder Bay. On February 4, 2025, members from PGNG including the OPP, Nishnawbe Aski Police Service (NAPS) and Thunder Bay Police Service (TBPS) as well as the Thunder Bay OPP and the OPP Community Street Crime Unit in Thunder Bay, arrested an individual suspected of drug trafficking at a location on Arthur Street West. The individual attempted to resist arrest but was apprehended without further incident. The accused had two outstanding warrants issued by the OPP and TBPS for several previous offences.

A search of personal items of the accused led to the seizure of the following:

•         A loaded firearm with an altered serial number
•         Approximately 11 grams of suspected cocaine
•         Approximately 7 grams of suspected crack cocaine
•         $2,590 in Canadian currency
•         Two digital scales
•         Two cell phones

Jason SAMPLE, age 41 of Thunder Bay, has been charged with the following 14 CC and CDSA offences:

•         Resisting arrest
•         Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
•         Unauthorized possession of a firearm
•         Possession of a firearm knowing its possession is unauthorized
•         Possession of a firearm knowing that the serial number has been defaced
•         Careless storage of a firearm
•         Unauthorized possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle
•         Possession of a firearm contrary to prohibition order
•         Carrying a concealed weapon
•         Possession of a restricted firearm with ammunition
•         Breach of release order
•         Breach of undertaking
•         Possession of proceeds obtained by crime under $5,000
•         Possession for the purpose of trafficking – cocaine

The accused was remanded into custody and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Thunder Bay on February 26, 2025.

The OPP would like to thank TBPS, NAPS and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) for their continued support of the PGNG program.

Anyone with any information about illegal firearms or the possession, manufacturing or trafficking of illicit drugs should contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or ontariocrimestoppers.ca.

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