Eight Arrested In Canada After Joint Investigation
In 2016, Bermuda police arrested two Canadians for the importation of fentanyl from Canada to Bermuda and following a “joint investigation to tackle transnational crime,” the Royal Canadian Mounted Police conducted an operation in Toronto which culminated in the arrest of eight people in Canada, and the seizure of fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, cannabis, counterfeit currency, guns, ammunition, and a grenade.
Bermuda Police Statement:
A police spokesperson said, “In December 2016, The Bermuda Police Service arrested two Canadians nationals for the importation of the potent and dangerous controlled drug fentanyl from Canada to Bermuda.
“Members of The Organized & Economic Crime Department [OECD] of the Bermuda Police Service, working in partnership with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police [RCMP], commenced a joint investigation to tackle transnational crime to suppress dangerous drugs from entering Bermuda and dismantle the conspiracy network involved.
“As a result of the joint investigation the RCMP have conducted an operation in the Greater Toronto Area which recently culminated in the arrest of eight [8] persons in Canada for various Conspiracy and Drug Trafficking charges.
“The 18 month joint investigation lead to the seizure of kilogram levels of Fentanyl, Cocaine, Methamphetamine, Cannabis, Counterfeit US currency, 12 handguns, ammunition, and a grenade. The joint inter-agency collaboration demonstrates that the Bermuda Police Service and their international law enforcement partners mutual commitment in tackling Transnational Crime.
“In an official RCMP news release, Inspector Donna Streeter, Officer in Charge – Toronto North Serious and Organized Crime Team said “Serious and Organized Crime in Canada is a multi-faceted and borderless problem impacting all Canadians, directly or indirectly. Through a variety of specialized programs and teams, the RCMP combats serious and organized crime by implementing intelligence-led police operations with the collaboration of domestic and international partners.”
BPS Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police Sean Field-Lament stated, “Let me echo the recent RCMP press release on the successful collaboration between the Bermuda Police Service and its overseas law enforcement partners- in particular in this case the RCMP.
“Transnational Organized Crime is a global threat- only with professional mutual assistance and support can it be effectively and efficiently tackled. The hard work of local OCED officers was invaluable in the success of the RCMP operation in dismantling this drug trafficking network which had been targeting Bermuda amongst its myriad of criminal activities.
“This fantastic result should send a strong message to those intending to smuggle dangerous drug and prohibited items across Canadian and Bermudian borders.”
“Anyone having information concerning criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Bermuda Police Service on 295-0011, or speak with their local Community Action Team Officer alternatively on the “Crime Stoppers confidential hotline 800-8477.”
Royal Canadian Mounted Police Statement:
A statement on the official RCMP website said, “A joint Royal Canadian Mounted Police [RCMP] and Durham Regional Police Service [DRPS] investigation in collaboration with Canada Border Services Agency [CBSA] and foreign police agencies has led to charges against eight [8] Greater Toronto Area [GTA] residents.
“The 18-month joint investigation stems from the arrest of two Canadian nationals in Bermuda for importing Fentanyl into Bermuda from Canada. The ensuing Canadian investigation led to uncovering several criminal networks involved in illicit drug trafficking activities throughout the GTA.
“The investigation led to the coordinated seizures of Fentanyl, Methamphetamine, Cocaine, Marihuana, Counterfeit US currency, twelve [12] hand guns and ammunition and one [1] hand grenade. Also seized was approximately $29,000.00 Canadian currency.
Photo via the RCMP website:
“On July 18th and 19th, 2018, coordinated efforts between the RCMP and DRPS led to the arrest of the following individuals:
“Robert Collins [37 years old] of Bowmanville, Ontario, charged with:
- Exporting Fentanyl – contrary the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act [CDSA];
- Conspiracy to Export Fentanyl – contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada [CCC];
- Trafficking in Fentanyl – contrary to the CDSA x 2;
- Conspiracy to Traffic Fentanyl – contrary to the CCC;
- Trafficking in Methamphetamine – contrary to the CDSA x 2;
- Conspiracy to Traffic Methamphetamine – contrary to the CCC;
- Conspiracy to Export Methamphetamine – contrary to CCC;
- Trafficking in Cocaine – contrary to the CDSA x 3;
- Conspiracy to Traffic Cocaine – contrary to the CCC x 2;
- Trafficking Marihuana – contrary to the CDSA;
- Possession of Proceeds of Crime – contrary to the CCC x 5;
- Uttering Counterfeit US. Currency – contrary to the CCC;
- Criminal Negligence Causing Bodily Harm – contrary to CCC.
“Stephanie Legge [31 years old] and Jean Simmons [43 years old] of Mississauga, Ontario, are charged with:
- Exporting Fentanyl – contrary to the CDSA;
- Conspiracy to Export Fentanyl – contrary to the CCC;
- Criminal Negligence Causing Bodily Harm – contrary to the CCC.
Photo via the RCMP website:
“Faruk Sebastian Portobanco [39 years old] of Toronto, Ontario, charged with:
- Trafficking in Fentanyl – contrary to the CDSA x 2;
- Conspiracy to Traffic Fentanyl – contrary to the CCC;
- Trafficking in Cocaine – contrary to the CDSA x 2;
- Conspiracy to Traffic Cocaine – contrary to the CCC x 2;
- Possession of Proceeds of Crime – contrary to the CCC x 3;
- Multiple gun related offences – contrary to the CCC.
“Lemar Patrick Burke [26 years old] of Pickering, Ontario, charged with the following:
- Trafficking in Methamphetamine – contrary to the CDSA x 2;
- Conspiracy to Traffic Methamphetamine – contrary to the CCC;
- Conspiracy to Export Methamphetamine – contrary to the CCC;
- Trafficking in Cocaine – contrary to the CDSA;
- Possession of Proceeds of Crime – contrary to the CCC.
“Brian Luckman [49 years old] of Brampton, Ontario, charged with:
- Trafficking in Methamphetamine – contrary to the CDSA;
- Conspiracy to Traffic Methamphetamine – contrary to the CCC;
- Conspiracy to Export Methamphetamine – contrary to the CCC;
- Possession of Proceeds of Crime – contrary to the CCC.
“All of the above accused appeared at the Old City Hall Court House on July 18 & 19, 2018 where charges were spoken to.
Photo via the RCMP website:
“Craig Lawrence [37 years old] of Markham, Ontario, was arrested July 20, 2018 and charged with:
- Criminal Negligence Causing Bodily Harm – contrary to the CCC.
“He appeared in court on July 20, 2018 at Old City Hall.
“Desmond Kerr [47 years old] of Brampton, Ontario, has been charged with:
- Exporting Fentanyl – contrary to the CDSA;
- Conspiracy to Export Fentanyl – contrary to the CCC;
- Criminal Negligence Causing Bodily Harm – contrary to the CCC.
“Serious and Organized Crime in Canada is a multi-faceted and borderless problem impacting all Canadians, directly or indirectly”, said Inspector Donna Streeter, Officer in Charge – Toronto North Serious and Organized Crime Team.
“Through a variety of specialized programs and teams, the RCMP combats serious and organized crime by implementing intelligence-led police operations with the collaboration of domestic and international partners.”
“The RCMP would like to thank DRPS, CBSA, the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada [FINTRAC] and other foreign police agencies for their assistance.”
