Thunder Bay police hopeful recent drug, gun seizures make a dent on criminal operations

Thunder Bay police are shining a light on crime involving suspects from outside of the city after illicit drugs and two loaded handguns were seized during recent investigations.

The seizures occurred as part of three separate investigations over the span of a few days last week. All accused are from the Greater Toronto Area, police said.

"It's basic business, right?" Thunder Bay police Det. Insp. Jeremy Pearson said at a media conference on Wednesday. "You have supply and demand, there's the demand here in Thunder Bay.

"Because of our comparatively-remote nature geographically, prices can be can be elevated,." he said. "There's a willing market and profit to be made, and people who are of an entrepreneurial mindset will go to where the money is."

The arrests occurred last week. In the first instance, a tip led the police intelligence unit to begin an investigation into suspected drug trafficking, leading to the arrest of two suspects on May 14.

Police then executed a search warrant at a Hartland Street residence, where they found cocaine and fentanyl with an estimated street value of $215,000.

On May 16, city police, with assistance from the OPP's organized crime bureau, executed a search warrant at a Frederica Street residence.

That led to the arrest of three male suspects, and the seizure of cocaine, crack cocaine, and fentanyl.

One of the suspects was found to be in possession of a loaded handgun, police said.

Finally, the third investigation led police to identify a man suspected of being involved in drug trafficking. He was arrested on Saturday morning, and found to be in possession of a loaded handgun, as well as quantities of cocaine, crack cocaine, and fentanyl.

"These are independent and complex investigations that were being run simultaneously," Pearson said. "I hope that the community takes solace in the fact that we do have dedicated officers who are putting in the time and effort, and have the skills and training, to affect these sorts of results."

OPP have also reported drug- and gun-related arrests in recent days.

On May 21, Sioux Lookout OPP conducted a traffic stop on Seventh Avenue after seeing a vehicle with a malfunctioning headlight failing to stop at a stop sign. Investigation revealed the attached licence plate was not authorized for the vehicle, and neither occupant could produce a valid driver's licence.

Officers then found cocaine and a large amount of Canadian currency in the vehicle. Both accused are 18-year-old males from Winnipeg, OPP said, and were due to appear in Kenora court on Wednesday.

A week earlier, on May 14, the OPP-led Provincial Joint Forces Guns and Gangs Enforcement Team arrested a 22-year-old Toronto man in Thunder Bay. The accused was found to be in possession of a handgun, ammunition, and a substance used in the cutting of illicit drugs, and remains in custody.