A 57-year-old man and a 31-year-old woman have been charged with numerous drug-related offences following an investigation by police in northern Ontario, with support from police in Quebec. The investigation began in October by the Temiskaming Ontario Provincial Police into suspected drug trafficking involving two people living in Quebec. The investigation was called ‘Project August.’ Both suspects are from Notre-Dame-du-Nord, Que., and were arrested Nov. 4 in a motor vehicle in Temiskaming Shores by the OPP. Police seized a large quantity of fentanyl, cocaine, crack cocaine, meth, cash, a prohibited weapon, a cellphone and a digital scale. Help from Quebec police “With the assistance of the Sûreté du Québec, investigators then executed a search warrant at a residence in Notre-Dame-Du-Nord, Quebec, and additional quantities of fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine were seized,” the OPP said in a Nov. 5 news release. “The total estimated street value of the seized controlled substances and cash is approximately $180,000.” Both have been charged with several counts of drug trafficking and possession of the proceeds of crime. The 57-year-old man has also been charged with carrying a concealed weapon, possessing a weapon while prohibited and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose. Both accused were remanded into custody and are scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Haileybury on Nov. 10. “The Ontario Provincial Police remains committed to disrupting illegal drug activity and keeping communities safe,” police said. “Investigations such as Project August demonstrate the importance of collaboration between police services in addressing drug trafficking and its impact on our communities.” Anyone with information regarding suspected drug trafficking activity is encouraged to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122.
