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A Smiths Falls drug trafficking investigation has resulted in another arrest and new charges, nearly two months after police launched a major enforcement operation involving multiple police agencies.
The latest development came September 11, when investigators with the Smiths Falls Police Service executed a fifth search warrant at a residence in Smiths Falls.
Police say they seized approximately 49 grams of cocaine and $6,305 in Canadian currency believed to be proceeds of crime.
30-year-old Kimberlynn Crystal Harper of Smiths Falls was arrested and charged with trafficking a Schedule I substance, cocaine, and possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking cocaine.
Harper was held in custody pending a bail hearing.
The arrest is part of Project STIR 2.0, a joint undercover drug trafficking investigation involving the Smiths Falls Police Service and Ottawa Police Service.
The investigation began months before police executed four search warrants on July 29 at residences and vehicles in Smiths Falls and Ottawa.
That operation led to 13 people being charged, with allegations including cocaine and methamphetamine trafficking, possession for the purpose of trafficking, possession of property obtained by crime and breaches of court orders.
Police also seized approximately 125 grams of cocaine, 15 grams of crack cocaine, smaller quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl, $10,500 in cash, drug trafficking paraphernalia, four firearms, ammunition, brass knuckles and other prohibited devices. Two vehicles were also seized as offence-related property.
Additional arrests followed in August.
Ryan Robert Bradbury, 49, of Arnprior; Ashley Najafi, 34, of Ottawa; and Rachel Lorene Laming, 35, of Ottawa, were charged with cocaine trafficking.
David Roger Corrigan, 73, of Smiths Falls, was also charged in connection with the firearms seized during the July 29 searches. He faces three counts each of unauthorized possession of a firearm and knowledge of unauthorized possession of a firearm, along with possession of a prohibited device or ammunition.
Police say the investigation remains active and further arrests and charges are anticipated.
All accused are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
