Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Two men, including 55-year-old Michael Upshall of Campbellton, were arrested last week by RCMP Federal Policing – Eastern Region. Multiple search warrants were executed with cocaine, opioids, firearms and weapons seized.
The investigation, led by RCMP Federal Policing – Eastern Region, with assistance from Lewisporte and Glovertown RCMP Detachments and RCMP Police Dog Services, resulted in the arrests of Upshall and another male on January 15, 2025. Both were taken into custody a short time after fleeing down a trail from police in a dangerous manner on an all-terrain vehicle (ATV). Upon the arrests, officers located a quantity of cash. RCMP Police Service Dog Noah and his handler located a quantity of oxycodone and cocaine that had been discarded on the trail.
In continuing the investigation, during the early morning hours of January 16, a warrant authorized under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, to search a vehicle was executed. Inside the vehicle, officers located a quantity of cocaine, contraband tobacco and other items consistent with drug trafficking.
Later that day, search warrants, authorized under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, were executed by RCMP at two homes in Lewisporte and a residence in Campbellton. Officers located and seized the following items:
- Nearly 80 oxycodone pills
- More than 200 suspected fentanyl pills
- A pill press
- Approximately $1500.00 cash
- Eleven firearms
- Ammunition
- Prohibited weapons/devices, including a stun gun and a number of knives
- Other items consistent with drug trafficking
Both men were released from custody.
Michael Upshall is charged with the following criminal offences:
- Possession for the purpose of trafficking fentanyl
- Possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine
- Possession for the purpose of trafficking oxycodone
- Unsafe storage of a firearm
- Unauthorized possession of a firearm
- Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
- Possession of a prohibited weapon – two counts
- Flight from police
- Dangerous operation of a conveyance (ATV)
- Possession of unstamped tobacco
- Possession of contraband tobacco
The second male remains under investigation with charges anticipated.
The investigation is continuing.
RCMP Federal Policing – Eastern Region targets criminal activity involving national security, transnational and serious organized crime and cybercrime throughout the entire province of Newfoundland and Labrador.