Timmins police announced today they have seized quantities of drugs and equipment valued at in excess $160,000 after an investigation led to a stopping of a vehicle on Highway 101 East on November 21, 2015 and subsequent searches of two residences.
As a result of the investigation four Timmins residents have been charged with various drug trafficking and drug production charges.
The police action also revealed that a more potent form of marijuana was being manufactured and sold in Timmins.
The substance is referred to as “shatter”.
“Shatter is the resin extracted from the marijuana plant using butane, there then is a cooking and drying process,” explained Sgt. Shannan Del Guidice. “The substance contains 85 percent THC compared to marijuana which contains THC in the 8 to 10 percent range."
It sells for $100 per gram.
This is first time that Timmins police have arrested individuals for the production of “shatter” though they have previously arrested people for its possession.
On November 21, 2015 members of the uniform patrol section stopped a vehicle travelling on Highway 101 East based on information obtained from a previous investigation.
Police searched the vehicle and seized 10 kilograms (22.9 lbs) of marijuana, 500 methamphetamine tablets and a small amount of a cannabis resin known as “shatter” or “dab”. The estimated value of the drugs seized totalled $107,650.
Police also seized $4,455 in Canadian currency and several electronic devices.
Three individuals were arrested at the scene and charged with drug related offenses.
The arrests led to search warrants being obtained for the search of two Timmins residences.
Later that day the two residences were searched by the Timmins Police drug investigation unit and uniform patrol.
At the first residence police seized 400 grams of the cannabis resin known as shatter, 20 grams of psilocybin, various packaging materials and other material used to manufacture drugs.
The estimated value of the drugs seized totaled $43,240. Another $3,040 in Canadian funds was also found.
Vacuum sealers, butane canister, scales and vacuum oven which was cooking 18. 5 grams of “shatter” at the time was also seized
A search of the second residence led to the seizure of 56.7 grams of “shatter”, 691 grams of psilocybin, 242 methamphetamine tablets, two boxes of vapour marijuana cigarettes, and drug packaging material.
The approximate value of the seized drugs was $10,471. About $200 dollars was also found.
Police have charged the following individuals as a result of their investigation:
Trevor Brunette, 23, of Timmins, charged with the possession of cannabis-marijuana for the purposes of trafficking.
Possession for the purposes of trafficking methamphetamine and possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000.
Kyle Grenier, 23, of Timmins, was charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking cannabis-marijuana. Possession for the purposes of trafficking methamphetamine. Production of a controlled substance cannabis resin (shatter). Possession of psilocybin. Two counts of possessing property obtained by crime under $5,000.
Chad Girard, 24, of Timmins, was charged with production of cannabis resin (“shatter). Possession for the purpose of trafficking cannabis resin (“shatter”). Possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000.
Yvon Grenier 56, of Timmins, was charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking marijuana; possession for the purpose of trafficking methamphetamine; possession for the purpose of trafficking the cannabis resin (hash); possession for trafficking psilocybin and two counts of possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000.
At the moment Trevor Brunette, Kyle Grenier and Chad Girard have been released on bail. Yvon Grenier remains in jail.
Del Guidice said other than the locally produced “shatter”, the supply was not local, but would not say where the supply originated or who was responsible for bringing the drugs into Timmins.
Today’s drug bust announcement is the seventh reported since December 14, 2014 by Timmins Police.
A major drug seizure was also announced by the Ontario Provincial Police on July 29, 2015.
“Drug use in Timmins is similar to what other Northern Ontario towns are facing,” said Sgt. Lorne Yee of the Timmins Police Services after being questioned about the numerous drug related charges over the last year.
“The number of drug arrests show that Timmins police are doing a good job,” Sgt. Lorne Yee added.
