Ten Charged, $205,000 in Illegal Narcotics Seized in Joint Forces Investigation Project Carbon Copy
Through funding provided by the Government of Ontario and supported by the Criminal Intelligence Service Ontario, joint forces investigation Project Carbon Copy was responsible for the arrests of ten individuals and the seizure of a large quantity of illegal narcotics and currency.
Led by the Brantford Police Service, with assistance from Haldimand Norfolk County OPP and the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service, Project Carbon Copy was initiated in October 2021, and focused on dismantling an organized crime group distributing large quantities of fentanyl from Southern Ontario to the northern regions of Ontario.
On April 14, 2022, members of the Brantford Police Service received judicial authorization to search five separate residences and a motor vehicle.
Just after midnight on April 14, 2022, officers with the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service initiated a traffic stop on a rental vehicle as it entered into the City of Sault Ste. Marie. Police arrested the four occupants of the motor vehicle, and a subsequent search revealed twelve ounces of suspected fentanyl with a street value of $168,000 concealed within the vehicle.
As a result of the traffic stop in Sault Ste. Marie, the following individuals stand charged with possession of fentanyl for the purpose to traffic, contrary to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act:
Skyler BEAL, 26 years of age from Brantford, Ontario.
Jamal GOMES, 19 years of age from Brantford, Ontario.
Alexis ROSEBRUGH, 21 years of age from St. George, Ontario.
Drew PYNE, 23 years of age from Brantford, Ontario.
Moments after the arrest of the four individuals listed above, the involved police services simultaneously executed five search warrants.
Within a Caledonia residence located on Arnold Marshall Drive, Haldimand Norfolk OPP officers located approximately $45,000 in Canadian currency concealed within a wall of the residence. As a result of the investigation and subsequent search, 26-year-old Edison BEAL was charged with possession of fentanyl for the purpose to traffic, trafficking in a controlled substance, and possession of the proceeds of crime.
The Brantford Police Service also searched a Darling Street apartment and located material related to cooking fentanyl.
A third residence associated to Project Carbon Copy, located on Pearl Street, Brantford, was also searched by officers with the Brantford Police Service.
Members of the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service executed a search warrant at a Queen Street West apartment in Sault Ste Marie. At this location police located quantities of suspected cocaine, fentanyl, crystal methamphetamine and two canisters of oleoresin capsicum (OC spray).
As a result of this search, 43-year-old Shawn SAUNDERS, of Sault Ste. Marie, stands charged with the following offences:
- Possession of a controlled substance X 4
- Possession of a weapon contrary to an order X 2
- Unauthorized possession of a weapon X 2
- Breach of probation
Officers with the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service also searched an adjoining Queen Street West apartment where officers located a quantity of suspected crack cocaine, fentanyl, and crystal methamphetamine within the residence. Shannon MORIN, of Sault Ste. Marie, stands charged with possession of a controlled substance X 3.
As a result of the project, police seized $205,000 worth of illegal substances and charged ten people with drug related offences.
Project Carbon Copy will help to minimize the threat to our communities caused by the distribution of controlled substances including synthetic opioids. 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 Sault Ste Marie Police Services.
In support of the search warrants and arrests on April 14, 2022, the Brantford Police Service would like to recognize the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service and Haldimand Norfolk OPP for their assistance.
QUOTES
"Project Carbon Copy is an excellent example of the significant cross-agency collaboration necessary to combat the illicit drug trade. It illustrates that crime in Brantford is evolving – it is a lucrative hub for distribution. The tenants that appeal to legitimate business also apply to criminal enterprise. By disrupting the operation of criminal networks, our goal is to assist our community by not only removing drugs from our streets but, by also reducing the violence surrounding the trade of illicit substances in Ontario.” - Robert A. Davis, Chief of Police, Brantford Police Services
"This is a significant seizure for our community. The intensive investigative work by members of our Crime Suppression Unit and Drug Enforcement Unit lead to approximately $170,000 worth of poison being removed from our community,” says Chief Hugh Stevenson, Sault Ste. Marie Police Services. "This is yet another example of great police work by our members. We are proud to participate in a meaningful Joint Forces Operation.”
Image: Image of Drugs
Image: Image of evidence
Confiscated Fentanyl – Project Carbon Copy
Public Safety in Partnership with the Community