July 7th 2010

Drug Project Results In Several Local Arrests

The  Shelburne Police Service and the Orangeville Police Service together with the O.P.P. Drug Enforcement Unit executed several search warrants throughout Dufferin County early Tuesday morning (July 6, 2010). The search warrants resulted in drug related criminal charges against more than 25 local people.

Project Snow Belt was initiated in the spring of 2010. The purpose of this investigation was to provide focused enforcement against street level drug dealers in the Town of Orangeville, Town of Shelburne and in the communities that comprise Dufferin County.   

Commencing in February 2010, investigators from the Shelburne and Orangeville Police Services, gathered evidence that identified street level drug dealers operating within these communities. The primary objectives of this investigation would significantly impact a number of communities which have regrettably been subjected to various levels of drug dealing.

The Orangeville and Shelburne Police Services recognized that the drug problem was not only very serious, but was deep rooted within Shelburne, Orangeville and the surrounding area.  A partnership with the Ontario Provincial Police, Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau, Drug Enforcement Unit was initiated.

In April 2010, an undercover drug investigation commenced in the Town of Shelburne, Town of Orangeville and in the communities which comprise Dufferin County. The investigation quickly provided solid evidence against many of the persons previously identified and others. It became evident that large amounts of powder and “crack” cocaine along with marihuana, MDMA and pharmaceutical drugs including Oxycontin were readily available.

This team was able to make undercover drug purchases from people that are from these communities.

The gathering of evidence concluded on Tuesday July 6, 2010, when over 70 officers from various police agencies such as Midland Police Service, Guelph Police Service, West Grey Police Service, Owen Sound Police Service, Saugeen Shores Police Service, Waterloo Regional Police Service, Halton Regional Police Service, York Regional Police Service, Toronto Police Service, the Ontario Provincial Police and the members of the Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau, Drug Enforcement Unit, simultaneously executed 9 Controlled Drug and Substances Act (CDSA) Search Warrants in Orangeville, Shelburne and the Townships of Melancthon, Mono and East Garafraxa.  

In conjunction with these search warrants, police arrested a significant number of individuals and seized a large quantity of drugs and property.

Arrested persons included:

James Francis FEELEY, 22, of East Garafraxa Township

Charges

Held for Bail Hearing - next court date – 07 July 2010
 

Kimberly Teresa HEBDEN, 26, of Orangeville

Charges

Held for Bail Hearing - next court date – 26 July 2010
 

Tyler Gordon IRVING, 19, of Orangeville

Charges

Held for Bail Hearing - next court date – 07 July 2010
 

Cynthia Lou-Ann MCKENZIE, 44, of Orangeville

Charges

Held for Bail Hearing - next court date – 16 August 2010
 

Joshua Michael MCFADYEN, 18, of Mono Township

Charges

Held for Bail Hearing - next court date – 07 July 2010
 

Ryan Frank POHL, 23, of Orangeville

Charges

Held for Bail Hearing - next court date – 07 June 2010
 

Owen Robert REID, 32, of Orangeville 

Charges

Held for Bail Hearing - next court date – 07 July 2010 
 

Timothy Lyle RUTLEDGE, 45, of Orangeville

Charges

Held for Bail Hearing - next court date – 07 June 2010
 

Timothy Howard Barry SLADE, 24, of Orangeville

Charges

Held for Bail Hearing - next court date – 07 June 2010
 

Dylan Gary BRENT, 27, of Mono Township

Charges

Held for Bail Hearing - next court date – 07 July 2010
 

Charles Ernest CLACKETT, 26, of Shelburne

Charges

Held for Bail Hearing - next court date – 16 August 2010
 

Tyler Lawrence COFFEY, 27, of Melancthon Township

Charges

Held for Bail Hearing - next court date – 16 August 2010
 

Bonnie Jean GRAY, 38, of Shelburne

Charges

Release - Promise to Appear - court date 16 August 2010
 

Justin Daniel HORSLEY, 19, of Shelburne

Charges

Held for Bail Hearing – next court date - 16 August 2010
 

Sarah KUKOVIS, 23, of Shelburne

Charges

Release - Promise to Appear- court date 16 August 2010
 

Thomas David MEUNIER, 28, of Shelburne

Charges

Held for Bail Hearing – next court date - 16 August 2010
 

Shane Matthew SHELDON, 39, of Shelburne

Charges

Held for Bail Hearing – next court date - 08 July 2010
 

Lisa Dawn WILSON, 25, of Shelburne

Charges

Release - Promise to Appear- court date 16 August 2010
 

Michael Yankowski, 37, of Mulmur Township  

Charges

Held for Bail Hearing - next court date - 08 July 2010
 

Leslie Anne French, 31, of Shelburne

Charges

Release - Promise to Appear - court date 16 August 2010
 

Police also arrested and charged four persons under the age of 18. The identity of these individuals is protected under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

The investigation is continuing and additional charges are expected with arrest warrants being applied for.

Police seized varying quantities of Powder Cocaine (128 grams), Crack Cocaine (4.5 grams), Marihuana (1581 grams), Magic Mushrooms (1.4 grams), Ecstasy (27 tablets), MDNA (21 capsules), Oxycontin (30 tablets) and Percocet (79 tablets). The street value of the drugs seized totaled in excess of $40, 000. In addition to drugs the project seized over $4600 cash, three vehicles and recovered one ATV that had previously been reported stolen. 

“We are very happy with the end results of this project. We feel that we have effectively and efficiently put thirty three street level drug dealers out of business in our communities”, said Shelburne Police Chief Kent Moore.

“Our officers work daily to rid our communities of drugs and the crimes associated with drug dealing. I know that on a regular basis that information is shared about individuals who having chosen to plague or communities with illegal activity and today's work should serve as an indication that their illegal actions are not only unacceptable but not welcome anywhere in Dufferin County”, said Orangeville Police Chief Joe Tomei.

Anyone having further information with regards to these incidents is encouraged to call the Criminal Investigation Branch of the Orangeville Police Service at 519-941-2522, the Shelburne Police Service at 519-925-3111 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.sdm-crimestoppers.com. Callers remain anonymous and information leading to the arrest of the person responsible for the crime may qualify the caller to receive a cash reward of up to $1000.