OPP, saying a 'major fraud' was committed, have arrested and charged a Powassan man with multiple criminal offences.
On August 9, 2023, North Bay OPP began an investigation into the theft of commercial-grade rental equipment from various rental companies in southern Ontario.
"The heavy equipment was rented, the Global Positioning Transmitters (GPS) were removed, and the products were re-sold by the accused. The reported loss was valued at $94,000 dollars," says a news release.
On June 18, 2024, the OPP Criminal Investigations Unit executed a search warrant at a home on Main Street in Powassan concerning the fraud investigation.
During the search, officers located a large quantity of illicit drugs, including Fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, psilocybin (mushrooms) and oxycodone, with a total estimated street value of $20,000. Officers also seized over $3,300 in cash.
Joel Viau, 47, of Powassan, is charged with:
- Possession of firearm or ammunition contrary to prohibition order
- Fraud over $5,000
- Participation in a criminal organization
- Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking - cocaine
- Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking - methamphetamine
- Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking - Fentanyl
- Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime under $5,000
- Breach of conditional sentence order
Viau was held for a bail hearing before the Ontario Court of Justice.
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