‘Significant seizure’ of guns, drugs in raids
Nine guns and about $250,000 worth of drugs were seized in Wednesday’s takedown by city police and six other police forces.
“It’s been a very complex investigation that stretched into many different communities,” city police Chief Scott Gilbert said.
City police released details of the bust at the Peterborough Police Service station on Friday.
Eleven people were arrested and are facing 44 charges overall. Five people were from Peterborough and the others were from other communities. Charges include trafficking cocaine, possession and trafficking of fentanyl, possession of crystal meth, proceeds of crime and several fire arms charges.
Drugs that are suspected to be blue fentanyl (305.34 grams), cocaine (1,520 grams), crystal meth (38.8 grams) and 161 Percocet pills were seized. The total estimate value is $251,000.
Six handguns, three rifles, ammunition and a Taser were also seized, along with more than $35,000 in cash.
“This is obviously a significant seizure of drugs and weapons in our community and we are confident it will result in a disruption in the street trade in the immediate future,” Gilbert said.
The investigation started about nine weeks ago. Once city police realized the drug ring was also operating outside the city, they enlisted support from Peterborough County OPP, City of Kawartha Lakes OPP, Quinte West OPP and Belleville Police, Tyendinaga Police and Toronto Police.
Many of the drugs and weapons were located within a professionally concealed compartment of on the vehicle, the chief said. At least two guns were believed to have been purchased in the United States and smuggled across the border, Gilbert said.
A total of 13 residential search warrants were conducted and seven more on vehicles.
Four search warrants were carried out in Peterborough, one in Bridgenorth, four in the City of Kawartha Lakes, three in the Quinte/Belleville area
and one in Scarborough
Police don’t believe the drugs or guns are connected to a gang, but some of those arrested are known to police. Some are on bail and others are probation for a prior offence.
Gilbert said it’s a “continuing cycle” with people being released on bail and then arrested for breaches.
“It’s added to our workload and it is a bit frustrating at times that you’re doing the same thing with the same result and that result is not preventing other offences,” Gilbert said.
Police are only able to work within the laws of the framework they’re provided, so it’s up to politicians to look at the law and see what needs to change, said OPP Det. Insp. Jim Walker, who assisted in the investigation.
Cameron Bagheri, 19, of North Kawartha Lakes, was charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, possession of fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking, possession of oxycodone for the purpose of trafficking, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, possession of a prohibited weapon, carrying a concealed weapon, occupying a vehicle knowing there was firearm, possession of a restricted firearm and possession of the proceeds of crime over $5,000.
Joseph Hobbins, 35, of Bridgenorth, was charged with possession of oxycodone for the purpose of trafficking, possession of hydromorphone for the purpose of trafficking and possession of the proceeds of crime over $5,000.
Syed Hassan, 28, of Scarborough, was charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, possession of fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking, possession of oxycodone for the purpose of trafficking, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, carrying a concealed weapon, possession of a prohibited firearm, possession of an unauthorized firearm, occupying a vehicle with a firearm, possession of a loaded firearm and possession of the proceeds of crime over $5,000.
Jesse Thomson, 30, of Lindsay, was charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking and possession of the proceeds of crime over $5,000.
Robert Ward, 51, of Peterborough, was charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, failing to comply with a court order and failing to comply with a probation order.
Barbara Ingersoll, 61, of Peterborough, was charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking and failing to comply with a court order.
Christopher Derrett, 38, of Peterborough, was charged with three counts of possession of a firearm contrary to a ban, possession of fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking and possession of the proceeds of crime over $5,000.
Andrew Dafoe, 33, of Peterborough, was charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.
Timothy Hazlewood, 38, of Deseronto, was charged with possession of crystal meth for the purpose of trafficking, possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, unauthorized possession of a weapon, possession of a firearm and failing to comply with a court order.
Daniel Knight, 41, of Lindsay, was charged with possession of cocaine, possession of an opioid, unauthorized possession of a weapon and possession of a firearm contrary to a ban.
Ian Murchison, 37, of Peterborough, possession of cocaine.