Police say that since March of 2016, a Joint Forces Operation lead by the Niagara Regional Police has been investigating a drug trafficking organization based in the Niagara Region.
The Police agencies involved in this operation included the Niagara Regional Police Service, Canada Border Services Agency, the OPP – Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau, The RCMP – Serious and Organized Crime Section-Hamilton and the Halton Police Service.
The investigation uncovered evidence of a large Cocaine trafficking ring based in the Niagara Region with ties to persons in the Greater Toronto Area. The investigation became known as Project Icarus.
In the early morning hours of August 31th, 2016 approximately 110 officers from the Golden Horseshoe area assisted Project Icarus in executing 13 search and arrest warrants in Welland, Port Colborne, Fort Erie, Oakville and Niagara Falls, Ontario.
As a result many have been arrested in the operation. These accused persons are facing a variety of Controlled Drugs and Substance Act and Criminal Code charges. The latest arrest is of Penny Corriveau 56 years, of Welland who was arrested and charged with the following offences on the evening of September 4th, 2016.
– Conspiracy to Traffic Cocaine
– Trafficking Cocaine
– Possession of the Proceeds of Crime under $5,000.
Earlier Updates included other arrests and seizures of property as follows.
Update. #1
As a result of the arrest and searches conducted on Wednesday, August 31st, 2016. Police say the following persons are charged with the listed offences.
Bradley Ray Foley, 41 years of Niagara Falls, Ontario
– Conspiracy to Traffic Cocaine
– Trafficking Cocaine
– Possession of the Proceeds of Crime over $5,000 X 2
Shane Moore, 33 years of St Catharines, Ontario.
– Conspiracy to Traffic Cocaine
– Trafficking Cocaine
– Assault Causing Bodily Harm (July 2016 incident)
– Possession of Cocaine for the purposes of trafficking
– Careless storage of firearm
– Possession of prohibited handgun
– Possession of firearm contrary to prohibition order
– Possession of stolen property over $5000
– Possession of the proceeds of crime over $5000
Melita Odzackic, 33 years of Fort Erie, Ontario
– Possession of prohibited handgun
– Possession of the proceeds of crime over $5000
Jason Smith, 41 years of Port Colborne, Ontario
– Conspiracy to Traffic Cocaine
– Trafficking Cocaine
– Careless storage of firearm
– Careless Storage of Ammunition.
– Possession of firearms contrary to prohibition order
– Possession of Prohibited Firearm magazine
– Possession of Marihauna
James Ward, 40 years of Welland, Ontario
– Conspiracy to Traffic Cocaine
– Trafficking Cocaine
– Possession of Cocaine for the purpose of Trafficking
– Possession of the Proceeds of Crime over $5,000
Melina Popovich, 35 years, of Welland, Ontario
– Possession of Cocaine for the purpose of Trafficking
– Possession of the Proceeds of Crime over $5,000
Kurt Schwinges, 39 years of Niagara Falls, Ontario.
– Possession of Cocaine for the purpose of Trafficking
– Possession of the Proceeds of Crime under $5,000
– Possession of a CDSA Schedule 1 substance (GHB)
Kenneth Kupper, 34 years of Welland, Ontario.
– Possession of Cocaine for the purpose of Trafficking
– Possession of the Proceeds of Crime under $5,000
Update #2
Investigators with Project Icarus continue to analyze and evaluate various evidence seizures as a result of the August 31th takedown. At this time Police are able to report the following seizures as a result of Project Icarus.
– $25,000 worth of various Narcotics including Cocaine.
– Approximately $175,000 cash
– 2011 Mercedes Benz. S63 ($40,000)
– 11 firearms including one handgun
– Various other weapons including Switchblades and brass knuckles
– $25,000 worth of stolen property
– Multiple electronic devices seized for examination
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