The Ontario Provincial Police have charged three people after the execution of a search warrant on Wednesday in Espanola.
Officers seized suspected drugs with an approximate street value of over $54,000.
Following is a full release from the OPP on the charges:
On Aug. 19, 2020 at approximately 3:45 p.m., members from the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Community Street Crime Unit (CSCU) and members from the Manitoulin Detachment executed a search warrant at a residence on Centre Street in Espanola.
Officers seized a quantity of drugs suspected to be: fentanyl, cocaine, crack cocaine hydromorphone pills, prohibited weapons, drug paraphernalia and over $700 in Canadian currency. The street value of the drugs seized is approximately $54,870.
As a result of the investigation, three people were arrested and charged:
Samantha St. Michel, age 39, from Espanola, was charged with:
- Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose ot trafficking - cocaine (two counts), contrary to section 5(2) of the controlled drugs and substances act (CDSA);
- Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking - opioid (other than heroin), contrary to section 5(2) of the CDSA;
- Possession of a scehdule I substance for the purpose of trafficking - other drugs (three counts), contrary to section 5(2) of the CDSA;
- Unauthorized possession of weapon (four counts), contrary to section 91(2) of the CC;
- Failure to comply with a release order - other than to attend court, contrary to section 145(5)(a) of the CC;
- Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime under $5000 , contrary to section 354(1)(a) of the Criminal Code (CC); and
- Possess unmarked cigarettes, contrary to section 29(2) of the Tobaco Tax Act.
The accused remains in custody and is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice - Bail Court in Sudbury, on Aug. 24, 2020.
Dean McNichol, age 45, from Espanola, was charged with:
- Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking - opiod (other than heroin) - two counts, contrary to section 5(2) of the CDSA;
- Possession of property obtained by crime under $5000, contrary to section 354(1)(a) of the CC;
- Unauthorized possession of weapon (two counts), contrary to section 91(2) of the CC;
- Possesion of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking - cocaine, contrary to section 5(2) of the CDSA;
- Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking - other drugs (two counts), contrary to section 5(2) of the CDSA;
- Failure to comply with release order - other than to attend court, contrary to section 145(5)(a) of the CC; and
- Possess unmarked cigarettes, contrary to section 29(2) of the Tobacco Tax Act.
Lance Pluta, age 37, from Espanola, was charged with:
- Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking - cocaine, contrary to section 5(2) of the CDSA;
- Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking - opioid (other than heroin), contrary to section 5(2) of the CDSA; and
- Unauthorized possession of a weapon, contrary to section 91(2) of the CC.
Both accused were released on an Undertaking and are scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice on Oct. 5, 2020 in Espanola.