Drug & Weapons Bust – Names Released

Source: OPP
Date: Wed Nov 13 05:23:38 MST 2024

(BRAMPTON, ON) – A drug trafficking investigation with ties to the Niagara Region and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) has resulted in the arrest of two individuals for numerous charges under the Criminal Code (CC) and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA), as well as the seizure of controlled substances and five firearms.

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP)-led Provincial Joint Forces Guns and Gangs Enforcement Team (PGNG), and the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) began this investigation in April 2024 as a result of drug trafficking activity within the Niagara Region. Investigators were able to identify a drug trafficking network that stemmed into the GTA, responsible for trafficking suspected cocaine and fentanyl as well as other illegal drugs.

On October 23, 2024, four search warrants were executed in Brampton by members from:



· OPP PGNG

· OPP-led Biker Enforcement Unit

· OPP-led Provincial Asset Forfeiture Unit

· OPP Tactics and Rescue Unit

· OPP Canine

· OPP uniform members

· NRPS

As a result of this investigation, the following was seized:

· Four handguns

· One shotgun

· Approximately 2.7 kilograms of suspected fentanyl

· Approximately 1.2 kilograms of suspected cocaine

· Approximately 330 grams of suspected MDMA

· Approximately 11 grams of suspected methamphetamine

· 113 suspected oxycodone tablets

· 50 suspected hydromorphone tablets

· More than 845 rounds of ammunition

· A prohibited magazine

· More than $316,000 in Canadian currency

Michael NAVARRO, age 29 of Brampton, has been charged with the following 27 offences contrary to the CC and CDSA:

· Firearms trafficking – three counts

· Possession of a firearm knowing its possession is unauthorized – two counts

· Possession of a prohibited device or ammunition

· Possession of prohibited or restricted firearm with ammunition – two counts

· Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime over $5,000 – four counts

· Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime under $5,000 – four counts

· Fail to comply with prohibition order

· Trafficking – fentanyl – six counts

· Trafficking – cocaine – two counts

· Possession – MDMA – two counts

The accused was remanded into custody and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Toronto on November 21, 2024.

Kathy Ann SAMUELS, age 32 of Brampton, has been charged with the following two offences contrary to the CDSA:

· Possession for the purpose of trafficking – cocaine

· Possession for the purpose of trafficking – fentanyl

The accused was released from custody and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Toronto on December 5, 2024.

Anyone with any information about illegal firearms or the possession, manufacturing or trafficking of illegal drugs should contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or ontariocrimestoppers.ca.