North Bay is one of the cities where OPP executed search warrants in a massive bust that sees 23 people facing 387 charges.
Two of the arrested are from here while a third is from Temiskaming Shores.
Project MOFFATT began in April when investigators learned of three distinct crime groups that were trafficking illicit drugs and illegal firearms in the Greater Toronto Area as well as in central and northeastern Ontario.
On July 18 and 19 OPP executed 14 search warrants at locations in North Bay, Englehart, Toronto, Vaughan, Barrie, Brampton, Mississauga, Oakville, and Pickering. In addition, search warrants were executed at both the Maplehurst Correctional Complex and the Collins Bay Federal Institution.
Of the 23 arrested, one was a federal parolee who was violating the conditions of his parole.
Seized items include but are not limited to:
- 29 firearms, mainly handguns
- 12 kilograms of Fentanyl
- 25.25 kilograms of cocaine
- five kilograms of crystal methamphetamine
- over 260,000 methamphetamine tablets
- $289,297 in cash
- $1,562 in US currency
- 10 vehicles.
The total street value of the drugs and firearms seized is over $8 million say police. Additional offence-related property seized amounts to $790,000.
Laura-Lee Bakker, 38, of North Bay faces 19 charges including:
- Seven counts of trafficking in a Schedule 1 substance
- Nine counts of possessing a Schedule 1 substance for the purpose of trafficking
- Three counts of possessing property obtained by crime over $5,000
Christopher Landriault,19, of North Bay faces three charges:
- Two counts of possessing a Schedule 1 substance for the purpose of trafficking
- Possess property obtained by crime over $5,000
Cole McCombe, 29, of Temiskaming Shores faces four charges:
- Two counts of trafficking in a Schedule 1 substance
- Two counts of possessing a Schedule 1 substance for the purpose of trafficking
"Illicit drugs and illegal firearms traffickers jeopardize the safety of our communities, said OPP Deputy Commissioner Marty Kearn in a news release. "The accused charged as a result of Project MOFFATT directly profited from violence and human suffering and show a complete lack of regard for the laws put in place to protect all of us. I am proud of the investigative team for a seizure of this magnitude. We will continue to actively pursue these criminals and incapacitate their networks."
The investigation was led by the OPP Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau Northeast Unit, the OPP-led Provincial Joint Forces Guns and Gangs Enforcement Team and the OPP-led Provincial Weapons Enforcement Team.
The Project MOFFATT investigation is ongoing. Anyone with any information about the trafficking of illicit drugs is urged to call OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or ontariocrimestoppers.ca.
