Cornwall, ON – Six individuals have been taken into custody as a result of an ongoing investigation into drug trafficking in the City of Cornwall, with a combined total of 185 charges laid.
Earlier this year, Cornwall Police Service (CPS) and the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) East Region Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau formed a partnership through the development of a joint-force Street Level Enforcement Team to address drug and opioid trafficking, as well as gun-related incidents in the City of Cornwall and surrounding area.
On March 1st, 2022, members of the CPS and OPP Street Level Enforcement Team, with the assistance of the Canada Border Services Agency, executed two Controlled Drugs and Substances Act Search Warrants in the City of Cornwall at residences in the area of Lefebvre Street and Easton Avenue.
A detailed search of the residences was conducted, resulting in the seizure of a quantity of cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl, MDMA and illicit cannabis. Additionally, 10 firearms, crossbows, ammunition and a quantity of Canadian currency was located and seized by police. The total estimated value of the seized drugs and currency is $84,000.00.
The following individuals were taken into custody and charged accordingly:
Hayden Fortier, 21, of Cornwall:
· Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking x 3 – (Cocaine, methamphetamine and MDMA)
· Possession of a Schedule I substance x 3 (Methylenedioxyamphetamine/Ecstasy, Methamphetamine and cocaine)
· Possession of illicit cannabis
· Possession of cannabis for the purpose of selling
· Careless storage of a firearm, weapon, prohibited device or ammunition x 12
· Unauthorized possession of a weapon
· Unauthorized possession of a firearm x 9
· Possession of a firearm knowing serial number has been tampered with x 4
Brenda Fortier-Bishop, 45, of Cornwall:
· Possession of a Schedule I substance x 5 – (Cocaine and fentanyl)
· Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – Cocaine
· Possession of property obtained by crime over $5000
· Possession of illicit cannabis
· Possession of cannabis for the purpose of selling
· Careless storage of ammunition
Cole Larin-Fortier, 24, of Cornwall:
· Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking x 3 – (Cocaine, methamphetamine and MDMA)
· Possession of a Schedule I substance x 3 (Methylenedioxyamphetamine/Ecstasy, Methamphetamine and cocaine)
· Possession of illicit cannabis
· Possession of cannabis for the purpose of selling
· Careless storage of a firearm, weapon, prohibited device or ammunition x 12
· Unauthorized possession of a weapon x 2
· Unauthorized possession of a firearm x 9
· Possession of a firearm knowing serial number has been tampered with x 4
· Breach of undertaking x 17 (for possessing weapons)
Jenna Kerr, 20, of Cornwall:
· Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking x 3 – (Cocaine, methamphetamine and MDMA)
· Possession of a Schedule I substance x 3 (Methylenedioxyamphetamine/Ecstasy, Methamphetamine and cocaine)
· Possession of illicit cannabis
· Possession of cannabis for the purpose of selling
· Careless storage of a firearm, weapon, prohibited device or ammunition x 12
· Unauthorized possession of a weapon
· Unauthorized possession of a firearm x 9
· Possession of a firearm knowing serial number has been tampered with x 4
McKenzie Morrison, 24, of Cornwall:
· Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking x 3 – (Cocaine, methamphetamine and MDMA)
· Possession of a Schedule I substance x 3 (Methylenedioxyamphetamine/Ecstasy, Methamphetamine and cocaine)
· Possession of illicit cannabis
· Possession of cannabis for the purpose of selling
· Careless storage of a firearm, weapon, prohibited device or ammunition x 12
· Unauthorized possession of a weapon
· Unauthorized possession of a firearm x 9
· Possession of a firearm knowing serial number has been tampered with x 4
Sean Finnerty, 44, of Cornwall:
· Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – Cocaine
· Possession of a Schedule I substance x 5 (cocaine and fentanyl)
· Possession of property obtained by crime over $5000
· Possession of illicit cannabis
· Possession of cannabis for the purpose of selling
· Careless storage of ammunition
All six individuals were held in custody to await a bail hearing.
The CPS and OPP are working diligently to combat drug trafficking within the City of Cornwall and surrounding areas and would like to remind residents about the dangers of using and selling illicit drugs. Anyone with information on illegal drug activity is encouraged to contact our anonymous tip line at 613-933-5000 ext. 2404 or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS/ seawayvalleycrimestoppers.ca.
