When police shut down Passmore Ave. in North Bay Saturday they feared explosive devices were inside a house on that street.
They were right to be worried.
In a news release this afternoon, spokesman John Schultz says police "identified evidence at the scene that was consistent with someone attempting to make an explosive device."
See: Fear of 'an explosive device' shuts down city street
On February 4, the North Bay Police began an investigation involving a North Bay man and allegations of criminal activities.
"In the early morning hours of February 6, a man was arrested at his residence for breaching a prohibition order banning his possession of certain weapon," says Schultz. "As the criminal investigation progressed police became concerned with information that the residence associated with the suspect may contain explosive materials or dangerous chemicals potentially used in the production of drugs."
Public safety became the primary concern and specialty units of the OPP assisted in the execution of search warrants to safely preserve and document evidence found at the scene.
The house was entered and examined on Saturday and Sunday.
As a result of the search warrant police seized:
- A 410 gauge shotgun reported stolen
- Multiple parts of firearms including receivers, barrels and stocks
- Shotgun shells
- Bear spray
- 84.8 grams of suspected crystal methamphetamine
- 11 suspected Carfentanyl pills
- 43 suspected Fentanyl pills
- 32 suspected morphine pills
- 1 gram of suspected cocaine
- 6 bottles of suspected methadone;
- 716 grams of suspected marijuana
- $2,080 cash
- A license plate reported stolen
- A compressed air nail gun
Tyler Busch, 39, of North Bay is charged with:
- Possession of a weapon obtained by the commission of an offence
- Four counts of unauthorized possession of a firearm
- Four counts of knowledge of unauthorized possession of firearm
- Eight counts of breach of a prohibition order
- Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
- Six counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking in a schedule I substance
- Production of a substance
- Two counts of possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000
- Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime
The estimated street value of the drugs seized is $116,000.
The North Bay Police Criminal Investigation Section is continuing the investigation, which also utilized the Emergency Response Team, Community Response Unit, Front Line officers, and the NBPS Forensic Identification Unit.
Assisting the North Bay Police was the OPP Tactical Response Unit, the explosives disposal unit, Urban Search and Rescue, and the Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Response Team.
The raid is part of the continued investigative efforts of Project Drifter with the Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau.
"Their assistance ensured the residence was cleared safely," said Schultz.
Also assisting was the Nipissing Paramedic Services, the North Bay Fire & Emergency Services.
Police gave credit to the patience and understanding of the local residents "who showed no hesitation as their day to day routines were interrupted and alternate accommodations had to be secured to resolve this investigation safely."
