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Niagara — CBSA seize 233 kilograms of narcotics and RCMP lay criminal charges

Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) work together protecting our communities by keeping approximately $6.5 million worth of cocaine from entering Canada.

On September 26, 2023, a commercial truck driver arrived at the primary inspection booth at the Queenston-Lewiston Bridge port of entry in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. The driver was referred for secondary examination of his truck and trailer. An inspection of the cargo led to the discovery of 202 brick-shaped objects which tested positive for cocaine. The suspected cocaine had a total weight of 233 kgs. The driver was arrested by the CBSA and transferred to the custody of the RCMP Border Integrity Unit, along with the suspected drugs.

A thorough investigation followed and on December 19, 2023 the RCMP charged 35-year-old Sukhwinder DHANJU of Brampton, Ontario with:

  • Importation of cocaine, contrary to Section 6(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
  • Possession for the purpose of trafficking, contrary to Section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act

Sukhwinder Dhanju was released with strict conditions. His next court date is scheduled for February 2, 2024 at 9:00 am located at 59 Church St., St. Catharines, Ontario

“This investigation is another great example of the partnership between the RCMP and the CBSA to keep our communities safe. The RCMP and the CBSA once again, through a joint effort, demonstrated continued commitment in working together to effectively disrupt the drug trade.” – Superintendent Rae Bolsterli, Officer in Charge, RCMP Border Integrity Program, O Division

“The diligence of our border services officers led to this significant seizure of narcotics. Our work with the RCMP is key to dismantling smuggling efforts and keeping harmful drugs out of our communities.” – Jeff Walters, District Director, Niagara District Operations, CBSA

Quick Facts

  • Anyone with information regarding criminal activity is encouraged to contact their local police, the RCMP at 1-800-387-0020 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
  • 2023 Year in review: Accomplishments by the numbers
  • Anyone with information regarding criminal activity is encouraged to contact their local police, the RCMP at 1-800-387-0020 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
  • Smuggling narcotics and other Customs Act contraventions may lead to prosecution in a court of law. For foreign nationals this may mean removal from Canada, and a ban on returning to Canada.
  • For the latest contraband statistics, visit Canada Border Services Agency seizures.

If you have information about suspicious cross-border activity, please contact the CBSA Border Watch Line at 1-888-502-9060.

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Portage la Prairie — Portage la Prairie RCMP recover stolen ATV

Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

On January 4, 2024, at approximately 10:45 am, RCMP received a report of a stolen ATV equipped with an airtag tracking device, which showed it to be at a location in Portage la Prairie.

Officers attended the area and observed fresh tire tracks leading into a garage at that location. As officers were working on getting a search warrant, a male exited the residence and was arrested.

A search of the property resulted in the recovery of the stolen ATV.

A 43-year-old male, from Portage la Prairie, is facing charges of Possession of Property Obtained by Crime. He was released from custody and is scheduled to appear in court in Portage la Prairie on March 12, 2024.

Portage la Prairie RCMP continue to investigate.

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Sheshatshiu — Sheshatshiu RCMP continues to investigate local arson; seeks public assistance to identify person of interest

Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Sheshatshiu RCMP has exhausted local efforts to identify a person they believe may have information about an arson of a local building in November 2023.

Just after 9:00 p.m. on November 14, 2023, police received a report of a building on fire on Peenamin Drive in Sheshatshiu. Sheshatshiu RCMP, a RCMP Fire Investigator, North West River Fire Department and Sheshatshiu Innu First Nations Fire Department attended the scene. Security footage was obtained and the fire was determined to be an arson.

A person of interest is pictured in the attached photos from surveillance footage. Despite the grainy quality of the photos, Sheshatshiu RCMP is hoping that someone may be able to identify the person seen wearing what is believed to be a ‘Puma’ brand backpack.

If you have any information on the fire or the person(s) responsible please call Sheshatshiu RCMP at 709-497-8700. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), visit www.nlcrimestoppers.com or use the P3Tips app. #SayItHere

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Kingston — Missing youths: Help the RCMP find Owen Curran, Sophie Waters and Meadow Collins

Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Kings District RCMP is asking for the public’s assistance in locating three missing youths. They were last seen in the Dartmouth area at approximately 11:51 p.m. January 9.

Owen Curran, 16-years-old from Welton’s Corner, is described as 5-foot-7, 229 lbs. He has blue eyes, blond hair and a tattoo of a sailor Jerry logo (Hawaiian girl) on his left forearm. Curran was last seen wearing a dark t-shirt, denim jacket and green camouflage pants.

Sophie Waters, 15-years-old from Lake Paul, is described as 5-foot-3, 90 lbs. She has blue eyes and black hair. Waters was last seen wearing a grey oversize sweater and brown pyjama pants.

Meadow Collins, 15-years-old from Aylesford, has brown and blond hair. It is unknown what she was wearing when she was last seen.

Investigators believe the youths are travelling in a grey 2010 Ford Focus bearing Nova Scotia license plate HBL 172 and may be travelling towards Ontario.

When someone goes missing, it has deep and far-reaching impacts for the person and those who know them. We ask that people spread the word through respectfully.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Owen Curran, Sophie Waters and Meadow Collins is asked to contact Kings District RCMP at 902-765-3317. If you wish to remain anonymous, call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers, toll free, at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips App.

File #: 2024-40007

Note to media: Photos of Owen Curran, Sophie Waters, Meadow Collins and similar vehicle are attached.

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Windsor — West Hants RCMP Detachment investigating a series of mischief to vehicles

Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

West Hants RCMP Detachment is investigating a series of mischief to vehicles that happened downtown Windsor where multiple vehicles had their tires slashed.

On January 8, 2024, around 11:33 a.m. West Hants RCMP Detachment responded to a report of a mischief on Turner Ln. in Windsor. Upon arrival on scene, the investigation lead officers to discover that at least six vehicles had their tires slashed.

RCMP officers believe that the damages were caused between 8:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. on January 8, 2024.

Anyone with information is asked to contact West Hants RCMP Detachment at 902-798-2207. If you wish to remain anonymous, please contact Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers, toll free, at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips App.

The investigation is ongoing.

File # 2024-33188

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Enfield — Halifax District RCMP investigates fatal collision

Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Halifax District RCMP is investigating a fatal collision that occurred in Enfield.

Yesterday, at approximately 4 p.m., Halifax District RCMP, East Hants District RCMP, fire and EHS responded to a report of a collision near exit 7 on Hwy. 102. RCMP officers learned that a Chevrolet Impala and an empty flat deck delivery truck were both travelling north on the highway when they collided.

The driver and lone occupant of the Impala, a 74-year-old Dean man, suffered life threatening injuries. He was transported to hospital by EHS where he later succumbed to his injuries.

The driver of the delivery truck, a 48-year-old Bible Hill man, did not suffer physical injuries.

A collision reconstructionist attended the scene and the investigation is ongoing.

Hwy. 102 north was closed for several hours but has since reopened.

Our thoughts are with the victim’s family at this difficult time.

File #: 24-3793

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Murder investigation launched following discovery of man’s body in Stratford

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

A murder investigation has been launched following the discovery of a man’s body in Newham.

Police were contacted by a neighbouring force on the afternoon of Tuesday, 9 January following a report they had received from a concerned member of the public about a person who had potentially come to harm in London.

At 01:17hrs on Wednesday, 10 January police traced a car to the Stratford Centre car park in Newham. A man’s body was found in the car.

Police are working to confirm the man’s identity and inform next of kin. A post-mortem examination will be held in due course.

A man was arrested in the early hours of 10 January at a residential address in Hampshire on suspicion of murder.

Crime scenes are in place in Newham and Hampshire and an investigation has been launched, led by officers from Specialist Crime and supported by local officers in Newham.

Chief Superintendent Simon Crick, responsible for policing in Newham, said: “I know many local people use the Stratford Centre every day and this awful incident will of course cause considerable concern to shoppers and retailers.

“I would like to reassure people that a man is in custody and, while my colleagues in Specialist Crime investigate, we do not believe there to be any danger to other people.

“If you have information that you think could help us, I urge you to contact police immediately.”

Anyone who has information or material that could help police should call 101 ref CAD 4310/9 Jan.

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U.S. Coast Guard urges preparedness as hazardous maritime conditions approach

Source: United States Coast Guard

News Release  

U.S. Coast Guard 13th District PA Detachment Astoria
Contact: Coast Guard PA Detachment Astoria
Office: (503) 861-6380
After Hours: (206) 220-7237
PA Detachment Astoria online newsroom

 

01/09/2024 03:14 PM EST

The U.S. Coast Guard is actively monitoring and preparing for the impact of hazardous maritime conditions in Washington and Oregon waters. Strong winds through the coastal waters and high surf conditions with large breakers will create hazardous conditions along the coast. Our primary concern is the safety and well-being of the public, and we urge all mariners and members of the public in the region to take precautions to ensure their safety.

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Three firearms taken off the streets after proactive work by Lewisham officers

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

A Lewisham drug dealer has been jailed after a search warrant carried out by local detectives uncovered a rucksack with three pistols and almost a kilogram of cocaine.

Shaun Bent, (29.03.84) of Brindley Street, SE14, was arrested at his home address on 4 July last year as part of an investigation by a local proactive team, set up to tackle violent and organised crime within Lewisham.

Officers found a rucksack that contained three pistols, each with 18 round magazines and 46 rounds of ammunition, 788 grams of cocaine and various drugs paraphernalia and £53,000 in cash as well as a money counter.

Bent was charged with possession with intent to supply Class A drugs and three counts of possession of a prohibited firearm.

At Woolwich Crown Court on 8 January, he was sentenced to a total of eight years in prison.

Detective Inspector Lewis Sanderson, of the Lewisham proactive investigation team, said:

“This case shows how drug dealing and violence go hand in hand. Thanks to the efforts of Met officers, another drug dealer is now in prison and three dangerous weapons are off the streets of London.

“Through successes like this, led by local Lewisham officers, we can continue to show how we are keeping our community safe.”

As part of the New Met for London strategy, the Metropolitan Police is focusing on community crime fighting, making sure people feel safe where they live and work.

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Malden Man Pleads Guilty to Distributing Fentanyl and Using and Trafficking Stolen Identities and Credit Cards

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News

BOSTON – A Malden man has pleaded guilty in federal court in Boston to distributing fentanyl and using stolen identities to conduct transactions and obtain credit cards.

Derick Coulanges, a/k/a/ “Casa,” 28, pleaded guilty on Jan 5, 2024 to distribution and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl; possession of five or more identification documents with intent to use them unlawfully; and use of and trafficking in unauthorized access devices with intent to defraud to obtain property valued over $1,000. U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani scheduled sentencing for April 12, 2024. Coulanges was charged by criminal complaint in July 2023. 

In January and February 2023, Coulanges was recorded selling a cooperating witness 50 grams of fentanyl in Coulanges’ Mercedes Benz. In the recordings, Coulanges also offered to procure counterfeit driver’s licenses to the cooperating witness that contained stolen personal identifying information (PII). Coulanges would go on to explain the manner in which a counterfeit driver’s license bearing stolen PII could be utilized to open bank accounts and obtain credit cards to purchase items. 

In March 2023, during a search of Coulanges’ Malden apartment which he had obtained using a drug customer’s stolen identity, approximately 28 grams of methamphetamine was located. A search of Coulanges’ Mercedes Benz revealed six driver’s licenses bearing stolen PII and one counterfeit license that bore Coulanges’ photograph but contained stolen PII of an individual from Ohio. A subsequent investigation revealed that the individuals associated with the driver’s licenses had been the victims of identity theft and had bank accounts and credit cards opened in their name. The counterfeit driver’s license bearing Coulanges’ photograph had been used to open bank accounts, apply for loans and obtain credit cards. Surveillance footage was located depicting Coulanges opening the accounts and then utilizing the fraudulently obtained credit cards to conduct transactions at various retailers, including at two jewelry stores where he purchased approximately $12,000 in jewelry.

The charge of distribution and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. The charge of possession of five or more identification documents with intent to use them unlawfully provides for a sentence of up to 15 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of use of unauthorized access devices to fraudulently obtain more than $1,000 provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and John E. Mawn Jr., Interim Colonel of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit is prosecuting the case.