In November 2022, Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) street crime detectives assigned to 1 District (St. Catharines / Thorold) commenced an investigation into the distribution of illegal drugs throughout the City of St. Catharines.
On Friday February 10th, 2023, detectives received judicial authorization to execute a search warrant inside a rented apartment room located on John Street between Robert Street and Cannon Street East, in the City of Hamilton. The search warrant was executed with the assistance of the Hamilton Police Service. As a result of the investigation two individuals have been arrested. In total, detectives recovered 743.7 grams of suspected fentanyl and 54.6 grams of suspected cocaine. The combined estimated street value of the drugs is $156,260.00. In addition, detectives also seized $550.00 of Canadian currency and $49.00 of the United States dollar, believed to have been acquired through the proceeds of crime.
Juwan OSEI (25 years) of Hamilton has been arrested and charged with the following Criminal offences:
• Possession of Fentanyl for the Purpose of Trafficking
• Possession of Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking
• Possession of Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000
Fernando Manuel DEBARROS (49 years) of Kitchener has been arrested and charged with the following Criminal offences:
• Possession of Fentanyl for the Purpose of Trafficking
• Possession of Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking
• Possession of Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000
OSEI and DEBARROS attended a bail hearing on February 10th, 2023, via video link to the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse, located at 59 Church Street in the City of St. Catharines. Both have been remanded into the custody of Ontario Correctional Services.
Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to contact detectives at 905-688-4111, dial option #3, extension #1009130.
Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously are encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to persons who contact the program with information that leads to an arrest.
Incident #23-13911