Five Niagara residents are facing charges following an investigation into drug trafficking in St. Catharines, Thorold and Welland.
The investigation began in November 2019, which led to multiple search warrants on January 2nd recovering a staggering amount of street drugs, cash, and weapons.
Over $34,000 in crystal methamphetamine was seized, along with $29,000 in fentanyl, over $20,000 in cocaine, $2,500 in hydromorphone and $39,000 in currency.
Police also recovered 5 firearms with over 200 rounds of ammunition and brass knuckles.
39-year-old Jeffery England and 34-year-old Jessica Travers, both of Thorold, are facing the alleged charges of:
- 3 counts of possession for purpose of trafficking a controlled substance
- 1 count of possession of proceeds obtained by crime
- 1 count Possession of a Loaded Restricted Firearm
- 1 count Possession of a Restricted Firearm with Ammunition
- 1 count Careless Storage of a Firearm
- 1 count Unauthorized Possession of a Restricted Firearm
- 1 count Possession of a Restricted Firearm Knowingly Unauthorized
36-year-old Chris Arnoczki and 29-year-old Joanne Short, both of Welland, are facing the alleged charges of:
- 4 counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking a controlled substance
- Possession of proceeds obtained by crime under $5000
- 4 counts Careless storage of Firearm
- 5 counts Possession of a Firearm or Ammunition
- 1 Possession of a Loaded Restricted Firearm
- Possession of a Restricted Firearm with Ammunition
- 4 counts Unauthorized Possession of a Restricted Firearm
28-year-old Shawn Marsh of Welland is facing the alleged charges of:
- 2 counts of possession of a controlled substance
All of the accused were held in custody pending a bail hearing on Friday, January 3rd.