Thirty people, mostly from the North Bay area, are facing 106 charges after a city police and OPP drug investigation called Project Drifter.

The joint initiative targeting the distribution of opioids and methamphetamine started in late September.

The investigation initially concentrated on drug distribution in the downtown core of the city, but branched out across Nipissing District.

Police Chief Scott Tod tells BayToday they took action against some of the people that present the greatest danger in the community.

“What we’ve learned is that there’s a group of criminals within North Bay and the community that actually prey upon people who suffer from mental health, addictions and other concerns, social and safety concerns in our community,” he says.

Tod says it’s not one of the biggest drug busts, but it sends a message.

“We want to demonstrate our success and response to some of the concerns that have been raised by residents, business owners and politicians in North Bay. We wanted to demonstrate the success of what the collaboration piece looks like,” he tells BayToday.

The North Bay Police and OPP Community Street Crime Unit and Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau were involved in the investigation, with many long hours logged by investigators.

Officials say interviews, surveillance, writing search warrants and other investigative techniques were utilized.

Photo by Chris Dawson/BayToday.ca

 

During the investigation the following was seized;
– 274.3 grams of suspected Fentanyl
– 15 suspected fentanyl patches
– 6 grams of suspected heroine
– 364 grams of suspected methamphetamine
– 5.5 grams of suspected cocaine
– 6 Percocet tablets
– 0.3 grams of suspected shatter
– 30 grams of suspected marijuana
– 14 cell phones
– 12 firearms

A total of $17,291.45 in Canadian currency was seized.

Four motor vehicles have also been seized.
– 2011 Honda Accord (offence related property)
– Honda SRV (Impounded HTA Offences)
– Chevrolet Camaro (Impounded HTA Offences)
– Chevrolet Canyon. (Impounded HTA Offences)

The following is a list of people charged as a result of Project Drifter;
1. Fabian BEAUCAGE of West Nipissing
2. James HENDRY of North Bay
3. Benjamin SCRIVER of Sturgeon Falls
4. Erik SHOLETTE of Patterson Township
5. Cory LAMARRE of Bonfield
6. Zoe GATES-HEALEY of East Ferris
7. Justin VAILLANCOURT of North Bay
8. Michelle BRYANT of Hamilton
9. Brandt MOORE of North Bay
10. Eric JODOUIN of Hanmer
11. Danielle LEDUC-MITCHELL of Temiskaming Quebec
12. Helen SCHROEDER of Kipawa Quebec
13. Roy DESVREAUX of Callander
14. Stephanie LECLAIR of North Bay
15. Daniel LAROCQUE of North Bay
16. Taylor MACKENZIE of North Bay
17. Darian LAFRENIER of North Bay
18. Michael SMITH of North Bay
19. Jasmine FITZGERALD of West Nipissing
20. James CLINKARD of North Bay
21. Reginald BURNEY-LEMURE of North Bay
22. Savanna GINGRAS OF North Bay
23. Kyle KWIARKOWSKI of North Bay
24. Jillian MABEY of North Bay
25. Theodore DOUCETTE of Mattawa
26. Philip LACHANCE of Callander
27. Davis MCCALLUM of North Bay
28. Jaska VENASSE of North Bay
29. Benjamin ADAMS of North Bay
30. Brian FIELDS of North Bay