Motorcycle gang member, 3 others charged after drug trafficking probe in St. Catharines
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Ontario Provincial Police said they have seized more than 100 kilograms of cocaine and charged a full patch member of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club and three other people with drug-related offences.
The charges follow a three-month probe spanning the Greater Toronto Area, the Niagara region and Nova Scotia into suspected drug trafficking activity by motorcycle gang members in St. Catharines.
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Police allege the investigation revealed large quantities of cocaine were being trafficked throughout the GTA and distributed to Canada’s East Coast.
On April 4, cops said a search warrant was executed at a Richmond Hill residence where approximately 101 kilos of suspected cocaine and more than $215,000 in Canadian currency was seized.
Randy McGean, 53, Sherry Stillwell, 44, and Cody Soulliere, 40, all of St. Catharines, have each been charged with possession of proceeds of crime and possession for the purpose of trafficking – cocaine.
David Crothers, 47, of St. Catharines, was also charged with possession of proceeds of crime and possession for the purpose of trafficking – cocaine.
On April 4, OPP said additional search warrants were executed at two St. Catharines residences and about 25 oxycodone/acetaminophen tablets, approximately five ounces of suspected cocaine, a money counter and a quantity of Canadian currency were seized.
The estimated street value of the seized drugs is $10.1 million, cops added.
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A day later, OPP said they provided information to the Nova Scotia RCMP who then conducted a vehicle stop and located approximately five kilograms of suspected cocaine, a rifle, ammunition and high-capacity magazines.
The driver of the vehicle has been charged by Cumberland County District RCMP.
“Outlaw motorcycle gang involvement in drug trafficking networks and other criminality is a top priority for law enforcement,” OPP Detective Inspector Scott Wade, Specialty Services, Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau, said in a statement.
“The inter-provincial nature of this investigation demonstrates the importance of collaboration between law enforcement on a national level. The OPP is grateful for the partnership with York Regional Police, Niagara Regional Police Service and Halton Regional Police Service. I also want to thank the Royal Canadian Mounted Police for their joint effort to disrupt this drug trafficking network and protect our respective communities.”
Anyone with information regarding illegal activity associated with outlaw motorcycle gangs is asked to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or online at ontariocrimestoppers.ca.
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