NEWS RELEASE
YORK REGIONAL POLICE
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In a continued effort targeting suspects involved in trafficking fentanyl in the Town of Georgina, investigators with the York Regional Police #3 District Criminal Investigations Bureau, Property Crime Unit, have charged eight people and seized more than 100 grams of fentanyl after executing a search warrant at a residence on Canal Street.
Between July 1, 2020 and Sept. 18, 2020, officers responded to an increase in calls related to drug overdoses in the Town of Georgina. Investigators believe that at least two deaths and 14 overdose calls are connected to fentanyl. Officers were also concerned about a very potent blue-coloured fentanyl that was involved in many of these incidents.
On Friday, Nov. 13, 2020, investigators executed a Controlled Drugs and Substances Act search warrant at a residence on Canal Street where they found eight suspects who were charged with a variety of offences, including possession, possession for the purpose of trafficking, possession for the purpose of distribution and fail to comply with judicial release order.
The following drugs were seized:
- 129 grams of powdered fentanyl
- 296 grams of cannabis
- 0.14 grams of cocaine
The eight people who have been charged and the charges are as follows:
Kyle Main, 32, Town of Collingwood
- Possession of fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking CDSA 5(2)
- Fail to comply with judicial release order CC 145(5)(a)
- Fail to comply with probation CC 733.1(1)
- Possession of proceeds in relation to a crime CC 354
Jeremy Bellerose, 40, Town of Georgina
- Possession of fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking CDSA 5(2)
- Fail to comply with probation CC 733.1(1)
Marilyn Collett, 48, Town of Newmarket
- Trafficking in a controlled substance – fentanyl CDSA 5(1) x3
- Possession for the purpose of trafficking – fentanyl CDSA 5(2)
- Fail to comply with judicial release order CC 145(5)(a)
Dwaine Trapper Graham, 31, Township of King
- Possession for the purpose of trafficking – fentanyl CDSA 5(2)
- Fail to comply with probation CC 733.1(1) x3
- Driving while under suspension HTA 53(1)
Shane Hollingshead, 35, Town of Georgina
- Possession for the purpose of trafficking – Fentanyl CDSA 5(2)
- Fail to comply with judicial release order CC 145(5)(a)
Thomas McCarthy, 29, Town of Georgina
- Possession for the purpose of trafficking – fentanyl CDSA 5(2)
Payton Biggar, 20, Town of Aurora
- Possession for the purpose of trafficking – fentanyl CDSA 5(2)
15-year-old female youth
- Possession for the purpose of distribution - cannabis
Fentanyl is 100 times more potent than morphine. If mistaken for another less-potent opioid like morphine, heroin or oxycodone, overdoses can easily occur. Depending on how it’s administered, the user may not notice the difference until it’s too late. Like all opioids, overdosing on fentanyl leads to slow, irregular and shallow respirations, pinpoint pupils, muscle rigidity, seizures and unconsciousness leading to coma. Minor effects include dizziness, drowsiness, headache, sleepiness, nausea and vomiting.
Two milligrams of pure fentanyl (the size of about four grains of salt) is enough to kill the average adult. If combined with alcohol and or other drugs, including prescription medications, the risk of a fatal outcome is increased. In addition, treating symptoms of fentanyl require higher doses of the antidote naloxone compared to other opioids. York Regional Police is committed to combatting the distribution of opioids in our community.
For more information on how partners from across York Region are working together to reduce opioid harms, read the Opioid Action Plan.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the York Regional Police #3 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 1-866-876-5423, ext.7341, or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-tips, or leave an anonymous tip online.
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