UPDATE - POLICE DISMANTLES INTER-PROVINCIAL CRIMINAL ORGANIZATION
Nine Charged with Drug and Criminal Organization Offences(OTTAWA, ON) – Since the arrests made on October 16, 2013 two additional arrests have been made.
David John Mayne BULLEN, 45 of Lombardy, was arrested on October 21, 2013. He was held in custody to appear for a bail hearing in the Ontario Court of Justice, Ottawa. He is facing charges of:
1. Conspiracy to Commit Indictable Offence (CC) 2. Counselling to Commit Extortion (CC) 3. Instruct a Criminal Organization (CC) 4. Participate in a Criminal Organization (CC) 5. Commission of an Offence for a Criminal Organization (CC) 6. Possession of Proceeds of Crime (CC) 7. Traffic Cocaine (CDSA)
Richard PERRON, 43 of L’Assomption, QC was arrested on October 21, 2013. He was held in custody to appear for a bail hearing in the Ontario Court of Justice, Ottawa. He is facing charges of:
1. Conspiracy to Commit Indictable Offence (CC), 2. Possession of Proceeds of Crime (CC), 3. Traffic Cocaine (CDSA), 4. Possess Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking (CDSA), 5. Participate in a Criminal Organization (CC), and 6. Commission of an offence for a Criminal Organization (CC)
Investigators are still searching for Michel PEDNEAULT, 50 of Blainville, QC, who is the subject of a Canada-wide arrest warrant.
At a news conference on October 16, 2013, members of the Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau (OCEB) and the Sûreté du Québec (SQ) revealed details of a lengthy and complex investigation into a criminal organization. Project ADELAIDE, an 11-month long investigation, began as an intelligence probe by the Provincial Operations Intelligence Bureau in response to information being received from small communities in Eastern Ontario. In November 2012, the OCEB was engaged and began to gather evidence against a drug-based criminal organization involved in distributing cocaine along with a host of other dangerous activities that are characteristic of criminal organizations. As the OCEB probe unfolded, the breadth of the investigation expanded into Québec and the SQ was engaged for assistance. The complex investigation revealed evidence of intimidation, extortion, and criminal interest rate loans –also known as ‘loan sharking’. The OPP continues to investigate these offences, as well as a $1.2 million mortgage fraud and high level money laundering through shell companies of approximately $10-million.
Police described the drug operation a unique due to its ‘just in time’ delivery model -- similar to many modern manufacturers and commercial big box retailers. Cocaine in Montréal was being transferred to Mont-Tremblant, Québec, ‘cut’, and rapidly re-packaged for distribution to local traffickers in several Eastern Ontario communities, including Ottawa, Carleton Place, Perth, Stittsville, Lombardy, and Smiths Falls.
On October 16, 2013, police executed 25 search warrants, 18 in Ontario and seven (7) in Québec, at residential and business locations. During the takedown, police seized:
· 2.5 kilograms of cocaine; · One kilogram of hashish; · A half-kilogram of hashish; · One handgun; · Seven (7) motor vehicles; · Restrained one residence with respect to proceeds of crime; and, · $409,000 in cash.
Also charged under the Criminal Code of Canada (CC) and the Controlled Drug and Substances Act (CDSA) were:
1. Michel COTE, aged 54 years, of Amherst, QC: 2. Viorel GHEORGHEVICI, aged 44 years, of Ottawa, ON; 3. Jordan McGREGOR, aged 24 years, of Ottawa, ON; 4. Charles ETHIER, aged 47 years, of Amherst, QC; 5. Ross McCOY, aged 45 years, of Stittsville, ON 6. Ryan JONES, aged 44 years, of Smith Falls, ON
The investigation is continuing in relation to money laundering, criminal interest rate loans and mortgage fraud.
Investigators are asking for the public’s help in locating a Robinson R44 Helicopter related to the investigation. If anyone has information on the where about of this aircraft, they are asked to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Ontario Provincial Police News Portal [ENGLEHART] MOTOR VEHICLE RESULTS IN CHARGES
(ENGLEHART, ON) A member of the Englehart Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to a single motor vehicle collision on Highway 11, Evanturel Township on November 1, 2013 at approximately 7:57 p.m.
Police attended the scene where the tractor trailer unit had flipped onto its side. Police located and checked the status of the driver who sustained minor injuries.
Further investigation resulted in Saravject-Singh GREWAL 63 of Brampton is charged for careless driving - section 130 of the Highway Traffic Act.
Ontario Provincial Police News Portal [TEMISKAMING] CRIME PREVENTION WEEK: NOVEMBER 3 - 9, 2013 - “Engaged Communities Prevent Crime”
(CITY OF TEMISKAMING SHORES, ON) – Breaking and entering, theft from and theft of vehicles and armed robbery are ongoing crimes which directly impact victims and place a strain on valuable police resources. These types of crime are not new, and are very often preventable through community engagement; empowering communities to play an active role in crime reduction initiatives.
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) recognizes community engagement is a key component of crime prevention and that strong community partnerships are an essential element of an effective crime reduction strategy.
“Community safety is everyone’s responsibility and crime prevention is everyone’s business, says OPP Inspector Dan DAWSON, as Crime Prevention Week in Ontario commenced.
“Police need to work together with our communities to find viable solutions as there is no one solution. Partnerships, information sharing and collaboration are the keys to success as crime prevention through community engagement is working.”
The Temiskaming OPP will be visible in the community doing the Lock-it-or-Lose-it Program and Frauds/Scams awareness.
By educating communities and being proactive in the reduction of crime, the OPP remains dedicated to eliminating the opportunity for crime in support of the OPP’s vision of Safe Communities – A Secure Ontario.
For more information on Crime Prevention Week activities in your community, please contact your local OPP Detachment.
