Thirteen people face charges following a months-long undercover drug trafficking investigation involving police in Smiths Falls and Ottawa.
The Smiths Falls Police Service said Project STIR 2.0 targeted suspected street-level trafficking in Smiths Falls and the surrounding area. The investigation was led by the Smiths Falls Police Service Criminal Investigations Unit and the Ottawa Police Service Drug Unit.
Police executed four search warrants at residences and vehicles in Smiths Falls and Ottawa on Wednesday, July 29.
Police said investigators identified 18 people during the investigation and seized approximately 125 grams of cocaine, 15 grams of crack cocaine and smaller quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl.
Officers also seized four firearms, ammunition, brass knuckles and other prohibited devices, along with $10,500 in Canadian currency alleged to be proceeds of crime.
Two vehicles were seized as offence-related property. Police also reported finding drug trafficking paraphernalia, including scales, debt lists and packaging materials.
The following people have been charged:
- Harry Joseph Richert, 55, of Smiths Falls, is charged with two counts of trafficking cocaine.
- James Alvin Cameron, 55, of Smiths Falls, is charged with trafficking cocaine.
- Robert Charles Corrigan, 48, of Smiths Falls, is charged with four counts of trafficking cocaine and one count of trafficking methamphetamine.
- Krystal Angela Dinelle, 40, of Smiths Falls, is charged with three counts of trafficking cocaine, possession for the purpose of trafficking, possession of property obtained by crime and two counts of failing to comply with a probation order.
- Sherry Lynn Jarvis, 51, of Jasper, is charged with four counts of trafficking cocaine, possession for the purpose of trafficking, three counts of failing to comply with a release order and possession of property obtained by crime.
- Christopher Todd Volk, 59, of Smiths Falls, is charged with trafficking cocaine.
- Danielle Marie Proulx, 61, of Smiths Falls, is charged with trafficking cocaine.
- Steven Richard Saunders, 51, of Lanark, is charged with trafficking cocaine.
- Briana Lynn Marie Crispin, 31, of Richmond, is charged with trafficking cocaine, possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking and possession of property obtained by crime.
- Keonte Kashy Fletcher, 34, of Richmond, is charged with possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking and possession of property obtained by crime.
- Jessie Peters, 42, of Jasper, is charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, three counts of failing to comply with a release order and possession of property obtained by crime.
- Leonard Joseph Donovan, 53, of Smiths Falls, is charged with two counts of trafficking cocaine.
- Jason Bullock, 42, of Smiths Falls, is charged with six counts of trafficking cocaine and one count of trafficking fentanyl.
Deputy Chief Chris Kettyle of the Smiths Falls Police Service said the investigation demonstrates the effects of drug trafficking across municipal boundaries.
“The illegal drug trade contributes to violence, victimization and significant harm within our community,” Kettyle said. “By directly targeting those responsible for distributing illicit substances, we are helping create safer neighbourhoods for everyone.”
Ottawa Police Service Supt. Jamie Dunlop said collaboration between police agencies allowed them to combine resources and strengthen public safety across Eastern Ontario.
Police said the investigation remains active and additional arrests and charges are anticipated in the coming weeks. Those are expected to include Criminal Code charges related to the firearms seized during the investigation.
The enforcement operation involved the Ontario Provincial Police Emergency Response Team, Canine Unit, Community Street Crime Unit, East Region Intelligence Unit and Repeat Offender Parole Enforcement Squad. The Ottawa Police Service Tactical Team and Drug Unit also assisted.
Police said the investigation received funding from the Ontario government through the Ministry of the Solicitor General and was supported by Criminal Intelligence Service Ontario.
The charges have not been proven in court.
Anyone with information about drug trafficking or other criminal activity can contact the Smiths Falls Police Service at 613-283-0357. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or through its website.
SOURCE: Smiths Falls Police Service.
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This is great news for all of us these low lives are killing are kids hurting our communities and embarrassing us as a whole. I am thrilled that they are taking down these crime organizations and only wished there was some way i could help them. This is where our law enforcement shine and we need to let them know that we stand with them and thank them for what they do.