7 face 80 charges after OPP-led guns and drugs bust

Ontario Provincial Police officers are seen in this police image. (File photo/Supplied/Ontario Provincial Police)

Seven people face a combined 80 charges after police seized loaded handguns, cocaine and cash in a drug trafficking investigation linking the Greater Toronto Area to northwestern Ontario.

In early May, the Ontario Provincial Police-led Provincial Guns and Gangs Enforcement Team, including officers from the Thunder Bay Police Service, the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service and the RCMP, began an intelligence-led investigation into a network suspected of drug trafficking from the GTA into Thunder Bay.

On May 13, 2026, three search warrants were executed on residences on Egan Street and Secord Street in Thunder Bay.

Weapons and thousands in cash, drugs seized

Officers seized three loaded handguns along with ammunition and extended magazines, 290 grams of suspected cocaine, 220 grams of suspected crack cocaine, $3,900 in cash, six cell phones and two digital scales.

“The estimated street value of the drugs seized is $40,000,” OPP said in a news release May 26.

Charges against GTA residents

An 18-year-old and a 16-year-old, both from Scarborough, face numerous charges. Both teens face 25 common counts including three counts of unauthorized possession of a firearm, three counts of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, three counts of possession of a loaded restricted firearm, five counts of possession of a weapon contrary to a prohibition order, eight other weapon and firearm offences, one count of possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime, one count of drug possession for the purpose of trafficking and failing to comply with a release order. The 18-year-old faces an additional count of failing to comply with a release order.

Both teenagers were remanded into custody for a bail hearing.

Thunder Bay, Montreal residents also charged

A 50-year-old woman from Thunder Bay faces 23 charges. They include three counts of unauthorized possession of a firearm, three counts of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, three counts of possession of a loaded restricted firearm, eight other firearm and weapon offences, four counts of failing to comply with a release order, one count of possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime and one count of drug possession for the purpose of trafficking. She was remanded into custody for a bail hearing.

A 23-year-old man from Montreal and a 48-year-old woman from Thunder Bay were each charged with drug possession for the purpose of trafficking and possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime. They were remanded into custody for a bail hearing and are scheduled to appear in court on May 27.

A 63-year-old man from Thunder Bay has been charged with drug possession for the purpose of trafficking. He was remanded into custody following a bail hearing and is scheduled to appear in court on June 12.

A 36-year-old man from Thunder Bay has been charged with failing to comply with a release order. He was remanded into custody for a bail hearing and are scheduled to appear in court on May 26.

Call for public assistance

The OPP is asking anyone with information about illegal firearms or the possession, manufacturing or trafficking of illicit drugs to call the force at 1-888-310-1122 or to contact Crime Stoppers anonymously.

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