(PEMBROKE, ON) - Six people facing drug trafficking and other criminal charges after the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) seized multiple types of dangerous drugs in Pembroke. Police are investigating links between these drugs and recent overdoses in the community, including deaths suspected to be the result of drug overdoses.
The OPP East Region Community Street Crime Unit (CSCU), members of the Upper Ottawa Valley Detachment, the OPP Emergency Response Team (ERT) and Canine Unit executed search warrants March 13, 2024, at two apartments on Moffat Street.
Six people were arrested, and officers seized over 50-grams of suspected cocaine, as well as suspected fentanyl, nearly 10-grams of MDMA and methamphetamine pills. Officers also seized items associated with drug trafficking including scales, packaging material and replica firearms/pellet guns.
Ben LUSH, age 39 of Petawawa is charged with:
- Possession of a Schedule 1 substance for the purpose of trafficking
- Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime under $5000
The following individuals are charged with two counts each of possession of a Schedule 1 substance for the purpose of trafficking:
- Ian ARSENAULT, age 41 of Pembroke
- Emma JENKINS, age 19 of Petawawa
ARESENAULT is additionally charged with failing to comply with a probation order.
The following individuals are each charged with one count of possession of a Schedule 1 substance for the purpose of trafficking:
- Teressa HAMMILL, age 23 of Pembroke
- Roseanne SYLVESTER, age 40 of Pembroke
- Blake TYSICK, age 57 of Pembroke
TYSICK and SYLVESTER were released with a scheduled appearance for the Ontario Court of Justice in Pembroke on April 9, 2024. The other accused are schedule to appear for a bail hearing today (March 14, 2024).
Upper Ottawa Valley OPP, emergency services partners, City of Pembroke and the Renfrew County and District Health Unit are working collaboratively to ensure prevention, education and support for those impacted by drug use, with a particular focus on outreach to the at-risk population.
If you have any information about drug trafficking call the OPP at 1-888-310-1122. If you want to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, or report online through ontariocrimestoppers.ca, where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.