MUSKOKA MAN, WOMAN CHARGED IN CASE INVOLVING OPIOID FATALITY

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

BRACEBRIDGE — A Muskoka man and woman are charged in an investigation involving a fatal opioid incident.

One of the suspects suffered a “medical distress” while in custody a day after their Dec. 2, the OPP say.

The province’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) is looking into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Calls to SIU this afternoon for more details were not returned.

The OPP say in a release today, Dec. 14, that last October their Muskoka Community Street Crime Unit (CSCU) began a drug-trafficking investigation.

During this investigation, a search warrant was executed in partnership with the Muskoka OPP Crime Unit, under the direction of the Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) in relation to a fatal opioid overdose. Investigators seized a quantity of cocaine, and hydromorphone pills.

On Dec. 2 the Muskoka CSCU OPP executed a search warrant at a hotel in Barrie with the assistance of the Barrie Police Service. As a result, cocaine and fentanyl was seized and two persons were charged.

One of the accused went into medical distress the next day and was admitted to hospital.

Between the two search warrants, nine ounces of cocaine, 44 grams of fentanyl and 145 hydromorphone pills were seized.

Police say the seizure has stopped approximately 440 “hits” of fentanyl from reaching the streets with a street value of $31,250 to $55,650.

Richard Robertson, 44, of Bracebridge was charged with:

Possession of a Schedule 1 Substance – Cocaine s. 4(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) – two (2) counts;

Possession of a Schedule 1 Substance – Crack Cocaine s. 4(1) of the CDSA;

Possession of a Schedule 1 Substance – Fentanyl s. 4(1) of the CDSA;

Possession of a Schedule 1 Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking – Cocaine s. 5(2) of the CDSA – two (2) counts;

Possession of a Schedule 1 Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking – Fentanyl s. 5(2) of the CDSA;

Possession of a Schedule 1 Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking – Hydromorphone s. 5(2) of the CDSA and with,

Fail to Comply with Release Order s. 145(5)(a) of the Criminal Code of Canada

Also charged is Lisa Cecy, 44, of Huntsville:

Possession of a Schedule 1 Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking – Cocaine s. 5(2) of the CDSA;

Possession of a Schedule 1 Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking – Fentanyl s. 5(2) of the CDSA;

Possession of a Schedule 1 Substance – Fentanyl s. 4(1) of the CDSA;

Operation while Prohibited s. 320.18(1)(a) of the Criminal Code of Canada  (CC) – three (3) counts;

Fail to Comply with Undertaking s. 145(4)(a) of the CC; and with

Fail to Comply with Probation s. 733.1(1) of the CC.

Both accused were held in custody for a bail hearing on December 3, 2020 at the Ontario Court of Justice in Bracebridge, Ontario.

The OPP has notified the province’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) and they have invoked their mandate. As a result, the OPP will not be able to provide any further information. Any inquiries should be directed to SIU Communications at 1-800-787-8529.

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