$23,500 Worth of Suspected Drugs Seized in Street Crime Investigation

The North Bay Police Service (NBPS) has seized suspected fentanyl, cocaine and other drugs with an estimated street value of $23,500 as part of an ongoing Street Crime Unit (SCU) investigation into drug trafficking in the city.

The investigation, which involved multiple NBPS units, resulted in charges against two Greater Toronto Area men. One man was arrested, while a warrant has been issued for the arrest of the second man, who remains outstanding.

The accused, Israel BARNES, 21-year-old, male, of Oshawa, has been charged with:

• Four Counts of Possession of a Schedule I Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking
• Possession of Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000

The co-accused, Robbie HOGG, 55-year-old, male, of Durham, has been charged with:

• Traffick in Schedule I Substance
• Two Counts of Possession of a Schedule I Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking

On August 28 at approximately 8:00 p.m., as part of an ongoing SCU investigation, members of the Emergency Response Team (ERT) conducted a traffic stop involving the accused, BARNES, in the 800 block of Worthington Street East.

The accused, BARNES, was arrested and upon search officers seized suspected fentanyl, cocaine and Canadian currency.

Further investigation led to the execution of a search warrant at approximately 9:45 p.m. the same evening at a building in the 1000 block of Algonquin Avenue. Officers located additional suspected Percocet pills, crack cocaine and materials consistent with drug trafficking.

Subsequent search led to the seizure of the following items:

• Controlled substances with an estimated street value of $23,500 including:
  • 79 grams Fentanyl
  • 72 grams Cocaine
  • 21 Percocet Pills
  • 1.5 grams Crack Cocaine
• $880 Canadian Currency

“This investigation highlights the importance of our investigative teams working together. Their coordination, communication and quick action allowed us to intercept these drugs before they reached our streets,” said A/Deputy Jeff Warner. “We don’t want these drugs coming into our city and affecting our families and our neighbourhoods. I’m proud of the work our members put into this investigation and the way multiple units came together.”

The accused was arrested and held in custody pending a bail hearing. A warrant has been issued for the arrest of the co-accused, HOGG, who remains outstanding.

Anyone with information about the whereabouts of the outstanding accused is asked to contact the NBPS at 705-472-1234