NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
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Members of the Nottawasaga Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Crime Unit under the direction of the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) have charged three persons in connection to an opioid overdose that claimed the life of a man in Alliston.
On Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020 at approximately 8:56 p.m., Nottawasaga OPP, New Tecumseth Fire Rescue and Simcoe County Paramedic Services responded to a call for a sudden death at a residence on Victoria Street East, and located the deceased, 45-year-old Trevor Benns of Alliston.
On June 16, 2020, members of the Nottawasaga OPP Crime Unit, Nottawasaga Community Street Crime Unit, Caledon Community Street Crime Unit, Regional Support Team, Central Region Emergency Response Team, and support from OPP specialized services executed a search warrant at a residence on Christie Crescent in Barrie and arrested the accused.
As a result of this six month long investigation, three people have been charged.
Michelle Longworth, 38 years of age, from Barrie, has been charged with:
- Manslaughter, contrary to s.236(b) of the Criminal Code of Canada (CC);
- Criminal Negligence Causing Death, contrary to s.220(b) CC;
- Trafficking of a Schedule I Substance (fentanyl), contrary to s. 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA);
- Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (fentanyl), contrary to s. 5(2) CDSA;
- Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (cocaine), contrary to s. 5(2) CDSA;
- Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose - CC 88; and with
- Possession of property obtained by crime - CC 354(1)(a).
Akino Phillips, 38 years of age, from Mississauga, has been charged with:
- Manslaughter, contrary to s.236(b) of the CC; • Criminal Negligence Causing Death, contrary to s.220(b) CC;
- Trafficking of a Schedule I Substance (fentanyl), contrary to s. 5(1) of the CDSA;
- Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (fentanyl), contrary to s. 5(2) CDSA;
- Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (cocaine), contrary to s. 5(2) CDSA; and with
- Possession of property obtained by crime - CC 354(1)(a).
Sukhraj Atwal, 24 years of age from Barrie, has been charged with:
- Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (fentanyl), contrary to s. 5(2) CDSA;
- Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (cocaine), contrary to s. 5(2) CDSA;
- Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose - CC 88; and with
- Possession of property obtained by crime - CC 354(1)(a).
The accused are being held pending bail hearings in the Ontario Court of Justice.
Also seized as a result of this investigation was 22 grams of cocaine and crack cocaine, six (6) grams of fentanyl as well as $4500 in cash.
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has investigated 16 occurrences where charges have been laid for Manslaughter and/or Criminal Negligence Causing Death in relation to fatal overdoses since 2016. Of these occurrences, two were this year.
"People are falling victim to, and dying from opioid overdoses every day. The OPP will continue to hold those who are knowingly trafficking harmful substances in our communities accountable for these deaths. We are committed to ensuring public safety in our community" - Detective Inspector Chris Landry, Criminal Investigation Branch.
Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or their local police. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or submit information here, where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2000.
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