Bail for third man charged in London, Ont.'s largest fentanyl bust
The man has been released on bail under house arrest-style conditions
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A third man charged after London police dismantled a sophisticated fentanyl lab and made the city’s largest-ever seizure of the deadly drug has been released on bail under house arrest-style conditions.
Sajid Bin-Saleh, 23, who faces 28 gun and drug charges, had been jailed since April 29, when police carried out a series of searches in London, Hamilton and Toronto.
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Investigators seized 34.6 kilograms of fentanyl, 4.6 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, 474 grams of cocaine, 18 kilograms of a cutting agent, around $250,000 cash, six vehicles and five guns, police said.
Ontario Court Justice Ab Chahbar ruled Friday to release Bin-Saleh, who was under a reverse onus, meaning the defence had to argue why his detention wasn’t justified.
“Given all the factors I have considered, I’m satisfied with the plan presented,” Chahbar said.
“I believe a strong release order could be fashioned, therefore this accused is released.”
Chahbar’s decision followed a day-long bail hearing on Tuesday, when Bin-Saleh’s parents agreed to act as his sureties and pledged a combined $50,000 to secure his release. Bin-Saleh also pledged $20,000.
Under his release conditions, Bin-Saleh must wear a GPS-tracking device, live with his parents in North York and not leave the house except for medical emergencies when accompanies by his sureties. He can only return to London for legal proceedings and was ordered to surrender his passport to police and not use electronic devices with access to the internet unless under the supervision of a surety.
Bin-Saleh, a Toronto resident, was also barred from contacting his three co-accused: Mark Barreiras, 44, of Toronto; Jordayne Brown, 33, of London and Rohan Reid, 34, of London.
Barreiras is the only one of the four who was denied bail. Reid was released on bail May 9, while Brown was granted bail Monday.
London police held a press conference Wednesday to announce the charges laid in the case and showcase the seized drugs – valued at more than $2.7 million – and guns, all of which were traced back to the United States.
London police Chief Thai Truong expressed frustration that two of the accused had already been released on bail, saying it is a challenge that every police force is facing.
“Consider yourself very fortunate that you are getting this opportunity,” Chahbar said to Bin-Saleh, who appeared via video link from the Elgin-Middlesex Detention Centre wearing an orange prison jumpsuit.
“Understood, your worship,” Bin-Saleh said when asked whether he understood all of his release conditions.
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