Meth Bust � Names Released

Source: OPP
Date: Sat Jan 18 06:07:37 MST 2025

(THUNDER BAY, ON) � An investigation led by the Thunder Bay Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Community Street Crime Unit (CSCU), has led to charges being laid against five individuals.

On Wednesday, January 15th, 2025, members of the Thunder Bay Community Street Crime Unit with the assistance of the Thunder Bay Detachment and east-side CSCU members, Thunder Bay Police Service Emergency Task Unit (ETU), Northwest Region Emergency Response Team (ERT), OPP K9 unit, Repeat Offender Parole Enforcement (ROPE), and Bail Safety Team executed a warrant in the city of Thunder Bay. This was the result of a months-long investigation into drug trafficking throughout the region. Officers seized cocaine, crystal methamphetamine, weigh scales and currency from this residence. 3 individuals were arrested and charged.

Later in the day, members of ROPE conducted a traffic stop and arrested another suspect in the investigation for outstanding warrants. The driver and passenger were arrested and charged, and a quantity of cocaine, currency, and a pistol magazine were found in the vehicle they were operating.

On Thursday, January 16th, 2025, Thunder Bay CSCU, assisted by TBPS ETU and members of the OPP Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau (OCEB), executed another warrant at a residence in Thunder Bay. Officers seized a quantity of crystal methamphetamine, a loaded handgun, and 2 rifles from the residence.

As a result of the investigation, the following evidence was seized:

� 142.18g of cocaine

� 305g of methamphetamine

� 1 handgun & ammunition

� 2 rifles

� Scales, baggies, etc., and other evidence of drug trafficking

As a result of the investigation, five individuals have been charged.

Joe ROBINSON, a 22-year-old from Thunder Bay, Ontario has been arrested and charged with:

� Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm x 3 contrary to the Criminal Code

� Possession of a prohibited device or ammunition x3 contrary to the Criminal Code

� Careless storage of Firearm, Weapon, Prohibited Device or Ammunition x3 contrary to the Criminal Code

� Possession of Weapon for Dangerous Purpose contrary to the Criminal Code

� Possession of prohibited or restricted firearm with ammo contrary to the Criminal Code

� Possession of Property Obtained by Crime under $5,000 contrary to the Criminal Code

� Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of Trafficking � Cocaine, contrary to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act

� Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of Trafficking � Methamphetamine, contrary to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act

Matthew VILLENEUVE, a 22-year-old from Atikokan, Ontario has been arrested and charged with:

� Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of Trafficking � Cocaine, contrary to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act

� Possession of Weapon for Dangerous Purpose contrary to the Criminal Code

� Possession of Property Obtained by Crime under $5,000 contrary to the Criminal Code

Jeremy BERTIN, a 44-year-old from Calgary, Alberta has been arrested and charged with:

� Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of Trafficking � Cocaine, contrary to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act

� Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of Trafficking � Methamphetamine, contrary to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act

� Possession of Property Obtained by Crime under $5,000 contrary to the Criminal Code

� Failure to comply with release order, contrary to the Criminal Code x2

Ashley BROWN, a 38-year-old from Thunder Bay, Ontario has been arrested and charged with:

� Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of Trafficking � Cocaine, contrary to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act

� Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of Trafficking � Methamphetamine, contrary to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act

� Possession of Property Obtained by Crime under $5,000 contrary to the Criminal Code

Charlene KOWAL, a 64-year-old from Thunder Bay, Ontario has been arrested and charged with:

� Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of Trafficking � Cocaine, contrary to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act

� Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of Trafficking � Methamphetamine, contrary to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act

� Possession of Property Obtained by Crime under $5,000 contrary to the Criminal Code

All individuals were remanded into custody and have a future bail court hearing.

Members of the OPP are committed to public safety, delivering proactive and innovative policing in partnership with our communities. Officers value your contribution to building safe communities. If you have any information about the trafficking of illicit drugs, please contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers to remain anonymous at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).

Area OPP

Stolen Vehicle Recovered: 3 Arrested
Jordan SLADE Was Arrested Again: Details Released
2 Home Invaders Shot To Death: No Charges #StandYourGround #TCB
27 Year Old From Mount Forest Charged
Police Cruiser Vs. Snow Plow Collision Near Wingham
Mitchell James Kaye � Drunk Driving
Catlin DAER Charged With Impaired Driving
35 Year Old From Central Huron Arrested #WaitInTheTruck
BAILEY Arrested Again!
$1,000 In Baby Formula Stolen From Kincardine � Photos Released
Sebastien LAVERGNE � Assault With Weapon
Kyle HENRY Arrested 2X In One Day In Goderich � #Catch&Release
MACTAVISH Was Arrested Again � Details Released
Repeat Offender Arrested For Spousal Abuse #WaitInTheTruck
70 Year Old Facing Spousal Abuse Charges #WaitInTheTruck
Lucknow Line Traffic Stop Results In Numerous Charges
Multiple Wingham Properties Damaged � Brody STONE Arrested
Another Local Assault #WaitInTheTruck
Anthony HUDSON � Was Arrested
19 Year Old Repeat Offender Arrested Again
Child Sexually Assaulted � 31 Year Old From Brussels Arrested
20 Year Old Facing Drunk Driving Charge
Central Huron Abuse #WaitInTheTruck
Wingham Disturbance � Donald WEBER Arrested Again
Deadly Home Invasion Attempt � 2 Dead #TCOB #StandYourGround

South Huron











North Huron











Wingham Police Service











© 2015 GFP. All Parties are to be presumed innocent. Note: We archive all police press releases and make them available to the public. If you were listed in press release in error, please contact the police detachment that issued the PR and request a correction. Press releases will not be deleted from our archive. If your charges were dropped, it does not change the historical fact that a PR was issued.