Thorold man convicted after drug trafficking investigation

Defendant will return for sentencing Oct. 9

A judge has found a Thorold resident guilty of multiple charges resulting from a drugtrafficking investigation.

Judge Deborah Calderwood convicted Jeffrey England, 39, of a series of offences under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, including possession of fentanyl, cocaine and crystal methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking. He was also convicted of a series of firearms offences and a proceeds of crime charge.

The judge dismissed the same charges against a co-accused, Jessica Travers, 34, also of Thorold.

England was also convicted for breaching four weapons prohibition orders.

“I find Mr. England guilty of all offences with which he is charged,” Calderwood said. “I find Miss Travers not guilty of the offences with which she is charged. The findings have now been made … Ms. Travers, you are free to go.”

England will return to Ontario Court of Justice on Oct. 9 to begin the sentencing portion of his trial.

Officers found a large quantity of fentanyl, crystal methamphetamine and cocaine in a storage unit, along with a loaded, restricted firearm

Lawyers for England and Travers sought to have evidence seized by police from a storage unit in Stoney Creek and an Esther Crescent residence in Thorold excluded from the trial based on a charter challenge of the search. Police arrested England and Travers at the Esther Crescent residence. The charter application was dismissed, as was another brought in May, Calderwood said.

In early January 2020, police conducted searches of a white 2012 Nissan Sentra registered to England; a black 2011 Volkswagen Jetta registered to Travers; a Kent Street residence in Welland and the Esther Crescent residence. Police also searched a unit at the Smart Start Self-storage facility on Fruitland Road in Stoney Creek.

The officers found a large quantity of fentanyl, crystal methamphetamine and cocaine in the storage unit, along with a loaded, restricted firearm. They also recovered more than $37,000 at the Esther Crescent residence.

The storage unit was registered to Travers when police searched it.