Police bust drug dealers in Sudbury, Barrie
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CHERYL BROWNE
QMI Agency
An investigation involving police from both Barrie and Sudbury into cocaine trafficking has led to the seizure of cocaine and marijuana from homes in both cities.
In Sudbury, drug officers arrested two Sudbury residents Wednesday, after an ongoing investigation, and seized more than 716 grams of cocaine, 13 grams of hashish and $1,820 in cash.
Officers executed a search warrant at a Mervyn Street residence, where they located the drugs. They also seized two motor vehicles as offence-related property.
The investigation was conducted jointly with Barrie city police.
Andre Hall, 36, and Angele Labelle, 31, have been charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking and possession of property obtained by crime.
The investigation is continuing, say police.
The total amount of drugs seized from two Barrie residences this week included more than 68 grams of cocaine with a street value of $3,000, and 8,283 grams of marijuana with a street value of $43,000.
“The drugs had just arrived at the residence prior to us executing the search warrant,” Barrie police Det. Const. Justin Ford said.
After an extensive investigation in Sudbury, the Sudbury police drug enforcement unit followed a suspect they had under surveillance to the Barrie area.
“There's a higher volume of drug trafficking in the Barrie area, and numerous people in the drug trade collaborate in the Barrie area,” Ford said.
Surveillance helped Sudbury police identify a Barrie man suspected of supplying the cocaine, as well as two local addresses believed to be involved. The Barrie police street crime/drug unit was informed of the criminal activity and the Sudbury officers asked for a search warrant Wednesday night.
On Thursday, Barrie police executed the search warrants at a pair of local residences under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
At the first location, a 31-year-old Barrie man, a 31-year-old Midland man and a 23-year-old man from the Niagara Falls area were arrested and charged with numerous offences.
At the second location, a 29-year-old Barrie man, a 26-year-old Innisfil man and a 23-year-old Barrie woman were arrested and charged. A fourth female was also arrested, but was later released unconditionally.
Between the two residences, 25 drug-related and Criminal Code charges were laid.
Ford said officers were actually surprised to find both cash and drugs at the residences.
“Most will keep their cocaine supply at one location and the money isn't at that location, it's usually kept at another safe house,” he said.
A large quantity of cash at the home wasn't counted by police, he said.
The many separate packages of cash – each containing what police to be a specific payment amount – will be cataloged by the Barrie police asset forfeiture unit.
The six suspects have been released with conditions and future court dates.
cheryl.browne@sunmedia.ca
Twitter.com/cherylbrowne1