Four charged in northwestern Ont. drug bust following traffic stop

Ontario Provincial Police seized a drugs -- including suspected cocaine, fentanyl and methamphetamine -- and $3,300 in cash following a traffic stop in Fort Frances, Ont., on February 11, 2025. (Supplied/Ontario Provincial Police)

Members of the Rainy River District Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have arrested and charged four individuals with drug-related offences following a traffic stop in the Town of Fort Frances, police said in a news release.

The incident occurred on Feb. 11, 2025, shortly after 10:30 p.m., when officers conducted a traffic stop that led to a criminal investigation. Police discovered a male passenger in the vehicle who was allegedly breaching his release conditions.

A subsequent search of the vehicle uncovered items that prompted a drug investigation. Officers seized 24 grams of suspected cocaine, 13 grams of fentanyl, 5 grams of methamphetamine and $3,300 in cash.

As a result of the investigation, four individuals were arrested and charged:

• a 33-year-old man from Big Grassy First Nation,
• a 23-year-old woman from Couchiching First Nation,
• a 30-year-old woman from Fort Frances, and
• a 54-year-old man from Fort Frances.

Each accused faces three counts of drug trafficking and possession of property obtained by crime. The 33-year-old man was additionally charged with four counts of breaching release orders.

All four accused appeared for a bail hearing on Feb. 12. The 33-year-old man and the 23-year-old woman were remanded to the Fort Frances Jail, while the others were released with future court dates.

The Rainy River District OPP is urging anyone with information about suspected unlawful activity to contact them at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers anonymously.

“Members of the Rainy River District OPP are committed to public safety, delivering proactive and innovative policing in partnership with our communities,” said police.

“Officers value your contribution to building safe communities.”