13 people are facing drug-trafficking charges following a major undercover investigation conducted by the Smiths Falls Police Service and Ottawa Police Service.
The operation, known as Project STIR 2.0, targeted individuals suspected of trafficking controlled substances in Smiths Falls and surrounding communities.
The investigation took place over several months and involved undercover officers conducting drug purchases as part of the operation.
On July 29, police executed four search warrants at residences and vehicles in Smiths Falls and Ottawa, leading to multiple arrests. Officers identified 18 individuals during the investigation and seized a variety of illegal drugs, firearms, cash and other evidence.
According to police, the seizure included 125 grams of cocaine, 15 grams of crack cocaine, smaller quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl, more than $10,500 in cash, two motor vehicles and four firearms with ammunition. Investigators also recovered brass knuckles, other prohibited devices and drug-trafficking paraphernalia such as scales, packaging materials and debt lists.
Eight suspects from Smiths Falls, ranging in age from 40 to 61, face a combined 26 charges under the Criminal Code and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. Additional arrests involved residents of Jasper, Lanark and Richmond.
Police say the investigation remains ongoing and further arrests and charges are expected, particularly in relation to the firearms seized during the operation. The Ontario Provincial Police and Criminal Intelligence Service Ontario also assisted with the investigation.
The allegations against the accused have not been proven in court.
The following individuals have been charged with offences under the Criminal Code of Canada and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act:
- Harry Joseph RICHERT (55 years) Smiths Falls, Ontario – Trafficking Schedule I Substance (cocaine) x’s 2.
- James Alvin CAMERON (55 years) Smith Falls, Ontario- Trafficking Schedule I Substance (cocaine).
- Robert Charles CORRIGAN (48 years) Smiths Falls, Ontario – Trafficking Schedule I Substance (cocaine) x’s 4 and (methamphetamine) x’s 1.
- Krystal Angela DINELLE (40 years) Smiths Falls, Ontario – Trafficking Schedule I Substance (cocaine) x’s 3, Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime and Fail to Comply with Probation Order x’s 2.
- Sherry Lynn JARVIS (51 years) Jasper, Ontario – Trafficking Schedule I Substance (cocaine) x’s 4, Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking, Fail to Comply with Release Order x’s 3 and Possession of Property Obtained by Crime.
- Christopher Todd VOLK (59 years) Smiths Falls, Ontario – Trafficking Schedule I Substances (cocaine).
- Danielle Marie PROULX (61 years) Smiths Falls, Ontario – Trafficking Schedule I Substance (cocaine).
- Steven Richard SAUNDERS (51 years) Lanark, Ontario – Trafficking Schedule I Substance (cocaine).
- Briana Lynn Marie CRISPIN (31 years) Richmond, Ontario – Trafficking Schedule I Substance (cocaine), Possession of Schedule I Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking and Possession of Property Obtained by Crime.
- Keonte Kashy FLETCHER (34 years) Richmond, Ontario – Possession of Schedule 1 Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking and Possession of Property Obtained by Crime.
- Jessie PETERS (42 years) Jasper, Ontario – Possession of Schedule I Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking (cocaine), Fail to Comply with Release Order x’s 3 and Possession of Property Obtained by Crime.
- Leonard Joseph DONOVAN (53 years) Smiths Falls, Ontario – Trafficking Schedule I Substances (cocaine) x’s 2.
- Jason BULLOCK (42 years) Smiths Falls, Ontario – Trafficking Schedule 1 Substance (cocaine) x 6 and Trafficking in Schedule 1Substance (fentanyl) x 1.
