NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
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BRACEBRIDGE - In October 2020, the Muskoka Community Street Crime Unit (CSCU) of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) began a drug-trafficking investigation in the Region of Muskoka.
During this investigation, a search warrant was executed in partnership with the Muskoka OPP Crime Unit, under the direction of the Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) in relation to a fatal opioid overdose. Investigators seized a quantity of cocaine and hydromorphone pills.
On Dec. 2, 2020, the Muskoka CSCU OPP executed a search warrant at a hotel in Barrie with the assistance of the Barrie Police Service. As a result, cocaine and fentanyl were seized and two persons were charged. One of the accused went into medical distress the next day and was admitted to hospital.
Between the two search warrants, a total of approximately nine ounces of cocaine, 44 grams of fentanyl, and 145 hydromorphone pills were seized. This seizure has stopped approximately 440 "hits" of fentanyl from reaching the streets and has a value of $31,250 to $55,650.
Richard Robertson (44) of Bracebridge, Ont.:
• Possession of a Schedule 1 Substance - cocaine s. 4(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) - two counts;
• Possession of a Schedule 1 Substance - crack cocaine s. 4(1) of the CDSA;
• Possession of a Schedule 1 Substance - fentanyl s. 4(1) of the CDSA;
• Possession of a Schedule 1 Substance for the purpose of trafficking - cocaine s. 5(2) of the CDSA - two (2) counts;
• Possession of a Schedule 1 Substance for the purpose of trafficking - fentanyl s. 5(2) of the CDSA;
• Possession of a Schedule 1 Substance for the purpose of trafficking - hydromorphone s. 5(2) of the CDSA and with,
• Fail to comply with release order s. 145(5)(a) of the Criminal Code of Canada
Lisa Cecy (44) of Huntsville, Ont.:
• Possession of a Schedule 1 Substance for the purpose of trafficking - cocaine s. 5(2) of the CDSA;
• Possession of a Schedule 1 Substance for the purpose of trafficking - fentanyl s. 5(2) of the CDSA;
• Possession of a Schedule 1 Substance - fentanyl s. 4(1) of the CDSA;
• Operation while prohibited s. 320.18(1)(a) of the Criminal Code of Canada (CC) - three counts;
• Fail to comply with undertaking s. 145(4)(a) of the CC; and with
• Fail to comply with probation s. 733.1(1) of the CC.
Both accused were held in custody for a bail hearing on Dec. 3, 2020 at the Ontario Court of Justice in Bracebridge, Ont.
The OPP has notified the province's Special Investigations Unit (SIU) and they have invoked their mandate. As a result, the OPP will not be able to provide any further information. Any inquiries should be directed to SIU Communications at 1-800-787-8529.
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