Five people were arrested and quantities of suspected drugs have been seized after a pair of search warrants were executed.
The Thunder Bay Police Service Intelligence Unit began an investigation into suspected drug trafficking activity in June 2024. Several suspects were identified during the course of the investigation.
As a result of the investigation, search warrants were obtained and executed at a Cameron Street residence and another residence on Rona Street on Thursday, March 13.
Five suspects were arrested. Police seized quantities of suspected cocaine, fentanyl and methamphetamine, along with paraphernalia consistent with drug trafficking and an unloaded shotgun.
The estimated street value of the drugs seized exceeds $225,000.
John DEPAOLA, 63, of Thunder Bay, is charged with the following:
• Trafficking Cocaine x3
• Trafficking Fentanyl
• Unsafe Storage of a Firearm
• Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm
• Careless Storage of a Firearm
• Breach of Release Order
Sagal ABDILLAHI, 21, of Toronto, and Sezar HERMEZ, 32, of North York, are charged with the following:
• Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (Cocaine)
• Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (Fentanyl)
• Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (Methamphetamine)
ABDILLAHI is also charged with Trafficking Cocaine x2.
Brooklyn GIBSON, 26, of Thunder Bay, and Justina VALLEY, 30, of Thunder Bay, are each charged with Unsafe Storage of a Firearm, Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm and Careless Storage of a Firearm.
The accused appeared in court on Friday.