Latest news with #ThunderBayPolice
CTV News
a day ago
- CTV News
Thunder Bay, Ont., police seize $270K in drugs, arrest three suspects
Thunder Bay police say they have arrested three people in a major drug bust involving cocaine, fentanyl and other substances worth more than $270,000. Thunder Bay police say they have arrested three people in a major drug bust involving cocaine, fentanyl and other substances worth more than $270,000. The arrests took place between June 24 and July 3, Ontario Provincial Police said in a news release. 'The arrests were the result of a four-week investigation into the trafficking of illegal drugs and substances in northwestern Ontario,' the release said. Thunder Bay Police were also involved in the operation, along with the OPP's crime enforcement bureau and the North West canine unit. Police seized drugs believed to be two kilograms of cocaine, 250 grams of fentanyl, hundreds of hydromorphone tablets, LSD powder and 12 pounds of illicit cannabis. 'Other items associated (with) drug trafficking' were also seized, police said. A 29-year-old man from Mississauga and a 25-year-old woman from Thunder Bay have been charged with drug trafficking offences. A 40-year-old woman from Thunder Bay was charged with possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime exceeding $5,000. The accused were released from custody and are scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Thunder Bay at a later date. Anyone with any information about the possession, manufacturing or trafficking of illicit drugs should contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or online.
CTV News
3 days ago
- CTV News
Northern Ont. woman charged in two armed robberies at a convenience store
A 39-year-old local woman has been arrested and charged in connection with two armed robberies at a convenience store in the 300 block of Oliver Road in Thunder Bay, Ont., last month. The Thunder Bay Police Service's Break and Enter, Auto Theft and Robbery (BEAR) Unit led the investigation after the suspect allegedly stole merchandise from the business on June 24. 'When confronted by a staff member, the suspect brandished a weapon and made threats,' police said in a news release. Linked to second incident Further investigation revealed the same suspect was involved in a similar robbery at the same location only the day before. On July 17, members of the BEAR Unit, with assistance from other officers, located and arrested the woman at a residence on Windsor Street. The accused is charged with two counts of robbery with a weapon. She appeared in court on Friday and was remanded into custody, with a future court date scheduled.
CTV News
3 days ago
- CTV News
3 charged with second degree murder following northwestern Ont. weekend homicide
A Thunder Bay Police Service vehicle is shown at a residence on Pearl Street in Thunder Bay, Ont., on July 19, 2025. (Supplied) Three individuals have been arrested and charged with second-degree murder following a fatal incident in Thunder Bay, Ont., over the weekend. Police respond to weapons call The Thunder Bay Police Service responded to a weapons call in the 200 block of Pearl Street in the early morning hours of July 19. Officers located an adult male victim at the scene. The victim, identified as 32-year-old Allan Faykes, was transported to hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Earlier warning to public Before midday on Saturday, investigators had issued a public warning that a homicide suspect was at large and possibly armed. However, they assured the public that the victim and suspect were believed to be known to each other, adding there was 'minimal threat to public safety.' Suspects arrested, charges laid Thunder Bay Police Service crest A Thunder Bay Police Service crest is shown an a building's exterior wall in this image. (File photo/Thunder Bay Police Service/Facebook) Following an investigation, police arrested three suspects: a 20-year-old man, a 22-year-old man, and a 45-year-old woman, all from Thunder Bay. Each faces a charge of second-degree murder. The 22-year-old suspect also faces additional charges for breaching probation – including a firearm-related offence. The three accused appeared in court on Sunday and were remanded into custody, with future court dates scheduled. Authorities urged anyone with information related to the incident to contact the Thunder Bay Police Service at 807-684-1200.
CTV News
6 days ago
- CTV News
Traffic stop leads to impaired, drug charges in Thunder Bay
After receiving 911 calls about a potential impaired driver on Edward Street in Thunder Bay, Ont., on July 14, 2025, local police stopped an SUV to find the driver allegedly impaired by drugs with suspected drugs, opened alcohol and other drug paraphernalia in the vehicle. (Thunder Bay Police Service/Facebook) A Thunder Bay Police Service traffic unit officer pulled over an SUV on Edward Street at about 11 a.m. on Monday after responding to multiple 911 calls reporting a possible impaired driver. The driver, a 48-year-old woman, was arrested on suspicion of impaired operation. Subsequently, a drug recognition evaluation was conducted by a qualified officer. Further investigation revealed that the motorist was in possession of suspected crack cocaine and heroin, along with open containers of alcohol and other drug paraphernalia inside the vehicle, police said in a social media post about the incident. As a result, the driver now faces several charges, including two counts of drug possession, failing to comply with a probation order and impaired driving. In addition to the charges, the vehicle was towed and impounded by police for seven days and her driver's licence was suspended for 90 days under provincial legislation. The accused is scheduled to appear in court in August. The case serves as a reminder of the serious consequences of impaired driving and drug-related offenses with authorities stressing the importance of responsible driving to ensure community safety.
CTV News
15-07-2025
- CTV News
Court rejects drug dealers' claim that house full of drugs, cash and weapons wasn't theirs
Adrian Myles Puentes-Reed and Khalid Yousuf were arrested by Thunder Bay Police after they were found sleeping in a residence full of drugs, weapons and $750,000 in cash. (File) An appeals court has rejected claims by two drug dealers that they didn't own a large amount of drugs, weapons and $750,000 in cash found in a Thunder Bay, Ont., home where the two were sleeping. The appeal detailed how drug dealers are drawn to northern Ontario because of the massive profits to be made. Previous cases have shown dealers often use two locations when selling drugs. One site, the 'trap house,' is where the drugs are actually sold, often the home of an addict who is provided drugs in exchange for the use of their residence. Dealers have minimal money and drugs on hand at the trap house. That way, they minimize their risk in case they are robbed or if they are busted by police. As their supply runs low, they return to the 'safe house' to resupply and to drop off the cash they received selling drugs, before returning to the trap house. 'Expert evidence was led at trial suggesting that Thunder Bay had become somewhat of a hub for drug trafficking, a place where various drugs were sold at higher-than-average prices,' the appeals court decision said. 'The expert testified that drug dealers from outside of Thunder Bay were known to have taken over residential premises in Thunder Bay and were using them in two ways.' 'Expert evidence was led at trial suggesting that Thunder Bay had become somewhat of a hub for drug trafficking, a place where various drugs were sold at higher-than-average prices.' — Court of Appeal for Ontario While trap houses are relatively accessible, the court said access to safe houses is 'limited to other mid-level and higher-level drug traffickers that were doing business at the homes.' The two dealers in this case -- Adrian Myles Puentes-Reed and Khalid Yousuf – were convicted on Feb. 24, 2023, of eight counts of drug trafficking, as well as weapons offences and possession of the proceeds of crime. Puentes-Reed received a nine-year sentence and Yousuf eight years. Both appealed their convictions. Police discovered the safe house thanks to the landlord, who entered to make a repair and found firearms in plain view. 'When the police entered the residence, they found it bursting with drugs and drug paraphernalia, cash and firearms,' the court said. Officers saw crack and cannabis on a kitchen counter, alongside a Glock firearm and $90,000 in cash. Another $27,000 in cash was in a bag in the kitchen. Another Glock was on a living room table, alongside a Brevete handgun and a .380 calibre Browning handgun. They found 800 grams of cocaine in a bag on a couch, $400,000 in cash in a duffle bag in a closet and more than $75,000 in cash stored in shoe boxes. Handguns on the living room table 'There were also scales, hydromorphone pills and over 800 oxycodone pills discovered in the residence, along with a money counter and envelopes of cash,' the court said. When all the cash was counted, it totalled about three-quarters of a million dollars. After entering the house, police eventually moved up to the third floor, where they found the two men asleep 'in a drug-induced state.' 'The critical issue at this judge-alone trial was whether the appellants were in possession of the proceeds of crime, drugs and firearms,' the decision said. 'The trial judge concluded that they were and entered convictions.' In his appeal, Puentes-Reed insisted he was in Thunder Bay not to sell drugs, but with the goal of building and operating a hip-hop studio. 'He tried to distance himself from the safe house, claiming that it was not his intention to build his hip-hop business from there,' the court said. 'Indeed, he claimed that he was not even staying in the home on this visit to Thunder Bay.' Was just a 'coincidence' He claimed that a third person had brought him and Yousef to the house 'in a drug-induced state,' and he had no recollection of how he got there. The fact that he was sleeping in a bedroom with more than $450,000 in the closet was pure 'coincidence.' The trial judge rejected that testimony as 'entirely incapable of belief,' and pointed to the fact that his passport was found in a drawer, along with Canada Revenue Agency documents in his name. Plus, a jacket hanging in the closet had a credit card in his name in the pocket. The appeals court ruled the trial judge had 'ample evidence' upon which to base a guilty verdict. The case against Yousef, however, was less obvious. In his appeal, he claimed that there was evidence only that he 'was found in a residence containing a significant amount of contraband' and nothing else. However, the trial judge reasoned that 'only individuals involved in the drug operation would be left unsupervised in the safe house.' With such a large quantity of drugs, cash and weapons in plain view, it is something that Yousef would have had to notice as he passed through the house on his way to the third floor to sleep, 'even someone in an inebriated state.' 'In my view, Mr. Yousuf's proximity to these items, having to pass them on the way up the stairs, contributes to my finding that he had those items together with Mr. Puentes-Reed in their constructive possession or custody,' the trial judge wrote. 'Further, the fact that he was one of two people found in the residence leads to the only logical conclusion he was in occupation of the residence for the use or benefit of himself and of Mr. Puentes-Reed.' The residence had only one purpose: to be a safe house and it was 'bursting at the seams with contraband,' the trial judge said. Only two people were inside when police arrived. The appeals court concluded that the trial judge had enough evidence to logically conclude that Yousef was 'in constructive possession' of the contraband and was guilty of trafficking and the other offences. Read the full decision here.
