Drug Trafficking and Firearms Offences
St. Thomas, ON – Friday August 18, 2023
The St. Thomas Police Service continues its unyielding commitment to safeguarding the community by addressing threats to public safety.
On August 15, 2023 officers encountered two individuals at a west end address at which time they were arrested on outstanding warrants, transported to police headquarters and remanded into custody. At the time of the arrest, the two individuals were in possession of a motor vehicle that officers observed to contain evidence of possible drug trafficking. The vehicle was towed STPS headquarters. ST23014484/ST23014485
Following due process, on August 17th, 2023 a search warrant was successfully obtained, authorizing a thorough search of the vehicle.
While executing the warrant, the St. Thomas Police Service Street Crimes Unit recovered:
- 32 caliber Beretta Tom Cat firearm (prohibited)
- 4x 32 caliber ammunition
- 91x 9mm ammunition
- Functioning digital weight scales
- Ziploc baggies
- 117.2g of crystal methamphetamine – $11,720
- 4 suspected fentanyl tablets – $640
- 18.5g of fentanyl – $9,250
- 18 tablets of 9mg hydromorphone – $324
- 1 tablet of 12mg hydromorphone – $24
- 1 tablet of 8mg hydromorphone – $16
- 50 tablets of 5mg oxycocet – $500
- 0.3g of crack cocaine – $50
- $3995.00 Canadian currency
The combined value of the seized drugs is estimated at $22,524.
Subsequently, 37 year old Brad Martin of St. Thomas has been charged with:
- Three counts of possession of a firearm or ammunition contrary to Prohibition Order
- Failure to comply with Release Order – other than to attend court
- Occupant of motor vehicle knowing there was a prohibited or restricted weapon
- Unauthorized possession of a prohibited firearm
- Possession of Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – crystal methamphetamine
- Possession of Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – fentanyl
- Possession of Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – hydromorphone
- Possession of Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – oxycocet
- Possession of Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – cocaine
- Possession of Property obtained by crime under $5000
Additionally, 37 year old Dwayne Smith of St. Thomas has been charged with:
- Failure to comply with Release Order – other than to attend court
- Occupant of motor vehicle knowing there was a prohibited or restricted weapon
- Unauthorized possession of a prohibited firearm
- Possession of Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – crystal methamphetamine
- Possession of Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – fentanyl
- Possession of Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – hydromorphone
- Possession of Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – oxycocet
- Possession of Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – cocaine
- Possession of Property obtained by crime under $5000
Both parties remain in custody at the Elgin Middlesex Detention Centre
ST23014612
