On Thursday September 28th, 2023, at 6:40pm Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) uniform patrol officers assigned to 1 District (St. Catharines / Thorold) observed a black Chevrolet Avalanche travelling on Queenston Street near Tasker Street, in the City of St. Catharines. After learning the vehicle was associated to a disqualified driver, a traffic stop was conducted to ensure the driver was properly licenced.
Upon speaking with the driver, who was identified as Jason GROVE (57 years) of St. Catharines, officers confirmed he was indeed driving in contravention of his licence suspension and subsequently placed him under arrest. While speaking with GROVE, officers observed two containers of pills and other items inside the vehicle indicative of trafficking narcotics. As a result, both passengers were placed under arrest. In total, officers recovered 10.2 grams of suspected cocaine, 4.2 grams of suspected fentanyl, 176 suspected hydromorphone pills, and 157 suspected oxycodone pills.
Jason GROVE (57 years) of St. Catharines was arrested and charged with the following criminal offences:
• Operation of a Motor Vehicle While Prohibited
• Possession of Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking
• Possession of Fentanyl for the Purpose of Trafficking
• Possession of Oxycodone for the Purpose of Trafficking
• Possession of Hydromorphone for the Purpose of Trafficking
Scott RUSSELL (54 years) of St. Catharines was arrested and charged with the following criminal offences:
• Possession of Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking
• Possession of Fentanyl for the Purpose of Trafficking
• Possession of Oxycodone for the Purpose of Trafficking
• Possession of Hydromorphone for the Purpose of Trafficking
David VENKETESWARAN (52 years) of St. Catharines was arrested and charged with the following criminal offences:
• Possession of Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking
• Possession of Fentanyl for the Purpose of Trafficking
• Possession of Oxycodone for the Purpose of Trafficking
• Possession of Hydromorphone for the Purpose of Trafficking
GROVE RUSSELL and VENKETESWARAN have all been released from custody on Form 10 Undertakings. VENKETESWARAN is scheduled to attend court on October 26th, 2023. GROVE and RUSSELL are scheduled to attend court on October 27th, 2023. All court appearances will take place at the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse, located at 59 Church Street in the City of St. Catharines.
Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to contact the lead detective by dialing 905-688-4111, dial option #3, extension #1009740.
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 #23-109262