Six Arrested, Firearms and Over $213,000 in Illicit Drugs Seized in Project CHALLENGER
22-24410
Through funding provided by the Government of Ontario, Criminal Intelligence Service Ontario supported Project CHALLENGER which was a Brantford Police Services joint investigation with the Ontario Provincial Police and further assisted by the Guelph Police Service Tactical Response Unit.
A two-month long drug investigation commenced mid-June 2022, involving several suspected drug dealers engaged in trafficking cocaine and fentanyl within the City of Brantford and throughout Southwestern Ontario.
In the early morning hours of Thursday, August 11, 2022, the Brantford Police Service executed four Controlled Drugs and Substances Act Search Warrants.
Brantford Police Service executed a Search Warrant at a residence located on Osborn Avenue, Brantford. Guelph Police Service Tactical Response Unit and K9 unit assisted. Upon search of the residence, police seized the following items:
- 1,257 grams (approx.) of suspected Cocaine with an estimated street value of $125,768
- 297 grams (approx.) of suspected Crystal Methamphetamine with an estimated street value of $44,600
- 693 grams (approx.) of suspected Psilocybin, with an estimated street value of $6,936
- Canadian currency
Search Warrants were executed on two vehicles. Inside one of the vehicles police located:
- 125 grams (approx.) of suspected Cocaine, with an estimated street value of $12,500.
Brantford police simultaneously executed a Controlled Drugs and Substances Act Search Warrant at a residence located at Henrietta Street, Brantford. Members of the Brantford Police Tactical Intelligence Generated and Enforcement Response Unit, Criminal Intelligence Unit, Emergency Response Unit, K9 Unit and Patrol Unit all assisted with entry. Upon search of the residence, police located and seized:
- 35 grams (approx.) of suspected Fentanyl, with an estimated street value of $8,700
- 152 grams (approx.) of suspected Cocaine, with an estimated street value of $15,200
- Canadian currency
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), County of Brant Community Street Crime Unit, assisted by OPP West and Central Region Tactics and Rescue Units, OPP West Region Emergency Response Team and OPP West Region Canine Unit, simultaneously executed an additional search at a residence located on Jenkins Road, Brant County. As a result of this Search Warrant, police seized:
- 23 firearms, all long guns
- 3 cross bows
- 3 compound bows
- Stolen vehicles (a trailer, ride-on lawnmower, and pick-up truck; all previously reported as stolen)
Image: Image of evidence
As a result of Project CHALLENGER, an estimated total street value of $213,704 of illicit drugs were seized and the following individuals have been charged:
Stephanie MARSHALL, 30, of Brantford, stands charged with:
- Possession for the purpose to traffic, to wit: Cocaine
- Possession for the purpose to traffic, to wit: Crystal Methamphetamine
- Possession for the purpose to traffic, to wit: Psilocybin
Kyle DASILVA, 30, of Brantford, stands charged with:
- Possession for the purpose to traffic, to wit: Cocaine
- Possession for the purpose to traffic, to wit: Crystal Methamphetamine
- Possession for the purpose to traffic, to wit: Psilocybin
Sarah MARSHALL, 30, of Brantford, stands charged with:
- Possession for the purpose to traffic, to wit: Cocaine
Odinga SAM, 31, of Toronto, stands charged with:
- Possession for the purpose to traffic, to wit: Fentanyl,
Jessica HIGGINS, 23, of Brantford, stands charged with:
- Possession for the purpose to traffic, to wit: Fentanyl, and
Steven SAULT, 32, of Brant County, stands charged with a number of Criminal Code offences related to several break and enters, possession of stolen property, and multiple firearms related violations.
Project Challenger is another successful joint project helping to minimize the threat to our communities caused by the distribution of controlled substances, including firearms. By disrupting the operation of criminal networks, our goal is to assist our communities by reducing the violence surrounding the trade of illicit substances.
"The success of this operation can be attributed to the outstanding collaboration of policing partners and agencies, Criminal Intelligence Service Ontario, Brantford Police Services, Ontario Provincial Police, and Guelph Police Service. Removing firearms and illicit drugs from our streets helps to also reduce the violence surrounding the trade of these substances, further improving community safety,” stated Chief Rob Davis, Brantford Police Services.
In support of the search warrants and arrests related to Project Challenger, the Brantford Police Service would like to recognize the Guelph Police Service Tactical Response Unit and K9 Unit, Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), County of Brant Community Street Crime Unit, OPP West and Central Region Tactics and Rescue Units, OPP West Region Emergency Response Team and OPP West Region Canine Unit for their assistance.
Anyone with information on any other drug-related activities is asked to contact the Brantford Police Service at 519-756-0113 ext. 2286.
Tipsters who wish to remain anonymous are asked to contact Brant- Brantford Crime Stoppers at 519-750-8477 or 1-800-222-8477. Alternatively, a web tip may be submitted at: https://www.crimestoppersbb.com/submit-a-tip/
Public Safety in Partnership with the Community