Drugs, guns, cash seized during police raids

Eight people face charges and a large quantity of drugs and weapons were seized after police conducted early morning raids across Niagara as part of a five-month investigation into cocaine trafficking.

Approximately 110 officers from across the Golden Horseshoe executed 13 search warrants on Wednesday at locations in Niagara Falls, Welland, Port Colborne, Fort Erie and Oakville.

Police seized cocaine, marijuana and gamma-Hydroxybutyric acid, also known as GHB, as well as a number of weapons and large amount of cash.

Niagara Regional Police Staff Sgt. Shawn Clarkson said the investigation, Project Icarus, began in March. He said it is anticipated more charges and arrests will result from the raids.

The joint forces operation, lead by the NRP, included members of the Canada Border Services Agency, the Ontario Provincial Police, the RCMP and the Halton Police Service.

The investigation uncovered evidence of a large cocaine trafficking ring based in the Niagara region with ties to people in the Toronto area, Clarkson said.

The following people were arrested Wednesday and held in custody pending bail hearings:

Bradley Ray Foley, 41, of Niagara Falls, is charged with conspiracy to traffic cocaine, and two counts of trafficking cocaine and possession of the proceeds of crime over $5,000.

Shane Moore, 33, of St Catharines, is charged with conspiracy to traffic cocaine, assault causing bodily harm, possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, careless storage of a firearm, possession of a prohibited handgun, possession of stolen property over $5,000 and possession of the proceeds of crime over $5,000.

Melita Odzackic, 33, of Fort Erie, is charged with possession of a prohibited handgun and possession of the proceeds of crime over $5,000.

Jason Smith, 41, of Port Colborne, is charged with conspiracy to traffic cocaine, trafficking cocaine, careless storage of a firearm, careless storage of ammunition, possession of a prohibited firearm magazine and possession of marijuana.

James Ward, 40, of Welland, is charged with conspiracy to traffic cocaine, trafficking cocaine, possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking and possession of the proceeds of crime over $5,000.

Melina Popovich, 35, of Welland, is charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking and possession of the proceeds of crime over $5,000.

Kurt Schwinges, 39, of Niagara Falls, is charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, possession of the proceeds of crime under $5,000 and possession of GHB.

Kenneth Kupper, 34, of Welland, is charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking and possession of the proceeds of crime under $5,000.