Saugeen Shores police say five people have been charged and a large drug seizure has taken $126,000 in drugs off the streets in an initiative called ‘Project Riptide.’
On April 26th, the Saugeen Shoes Police Service’s Criminal Investigations and Drug Unit, in conjunction with policing partners, executed four search warrants in Saugeen Shores, Kincardine, and Brampton.
Police say they seized illicit drugs with an estimated street value of $126,000.
They also reportedly seized two handguns, one rifle and what police describe as ‘prohibited devices.’
Police say, the complex investigation required signficant resources and funding. Funding provided by the Ontario Government, Criminal Investigations Service of Ontario (CISO) supported the Saugeen Shores Police Service joint project.
Saugeen Shores Police Chief Kevin Zettel says in a statement, “These seizures are extremely significant,” adding, “As a result of Project Riptide, several prohibited devices, firearms, and a large quantity of illicit drugs are no longer available on our streets.”
Agencies involved also included the Criminal Intelligence Service of Ontario, OPP Grey-Bruce Community Street Crime Unit, OPP Huron-Perth CSCU, OPP Wellington CSCU, OPP Elgin-Middlesex CSCU, OPP Oxford-Brant CSCU, Peel Regional Police Service, Guelph Police Service, Waterloo Regional Police Service, London Police Service, Stratford Police Service and West Grey Police Service.
Police say a 19 year old Saugeen Shores man, a 49 year old Saugeen Shores man, a 35 year old Saugeen Shores man, a 45-year old Kincardine man and a 39 year old Brampton man face charges as listed below:
19-year-old male from Saugeen Shores:
Possession of a prohibited device x 2
Unauthorized possession of a firearm
Careless storage of a firearm
Possession for the purpose of trafficking – cocaine
Possession of property obtained by crime
49-year-old male from Saugeen Shores:
Trafficking – cocaine x 3
Possession of prohibited device x 2
Unauthorized possession of a firearm
Careless storage of a firearm
Possession for the purpose of trafficking (cocaine)
Possession of property obtained by crime
35-year-old male from Saugeen Shores:
Trafficking (cocaine)
Possession for the purpose of trafficking – cocaine
Possession – psilocybin
45-year-old male from Kincardine:
Possession for the purpose of trafficking – cocaine
Possession for the purpose of trafficking – fentanyl
Possession for the purpose of trafficking – psilocybin
Possession of proceeds of crime
Possession of a prohibited device
Unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm x 2
Possession of a firearm knowing serial number has been tampered with
Possession for the purpose of distributing
Possessing cannabis for the purpose of selling
39-year-old male from Brampton:
Trafficking – cocaine x 6
Possession for the purpose of trafficking – cocaine
Possession for the purpose of trafficking – fentanyl
Possession for the purpose of trafficking – psilocybin
Possession of proceeds of crime
Possession of a prohibited device
Unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm x 2
Possession of a firearm knowing serial number has been tampered with
Possession for the purpose of distributing
Possessing cannabis for the purpose of selling
