City police are concerned about methamphetamine hitting the streets of Thunder Bay.
On Tuesday the combined forces drug unit seized 30 grams of cocaine, 37 grams of marijuana, $19,000 in cash, a handgun and more than 500 methamphetamine pills after searching two north side homes.
It was the largest seizure of methamphetamines for the Thunder Bay Police Service.
"While we maybe have had some indication that drug has existed in the past, to actually see a quantity like this of over 500 pills is a concern," said executive officer Chris Adams.
The difference between the pills and the street drug known as crystal meth is the form of delivery, said Adams, adding both are highly addictive and come with many bad side effects.
"People turn to it very often because they think it has a euphoric high but it's extremely addictive and it destroys a lot of lives," he said.
The police also believe the pills seized Tuesday could have been manufactured by a criminal group.
"We're not saying we have definite information about a meth lab here in Thunder Bay, but when you start seeing this drug start at the street level, it is a concern," Adams said.
Because cooking meth means working with chemicals, the possibility of a lab is troubling to police.
The first concern is for anyone living in the vicinity of a lab because of the risk of chemical reactions causing a possible explosion.
The other worry is for emergency responders like police who have to enter these facilities, said Adams.
"It's a very dangerous process," he said.
Police arrested two men after searching the homes Tuesday. The search warrants followed an investigation into two local men who were suspected cocaine traffickers.
Police believe the street value of the drugs seized is about $5,340.
Stephan Richard Parr, 35, faces criminal charges of:
- Possession of Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking
- Possession of Methamphetamine for the Purpose of Trafficking
- Possession of Marijuana
- Proceeds of Crime exceeding $5,000.00
- Careless use of a firearm
- Unauthorized possession of a firearm
- Possession of unregistered firearm
- Unauthorized Possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle
- Possession of prohibited weapon
- Possession of a loaded restricted firearm
- Possession of restricted firearm obtained by crime
Randy Demien Laughlin, 25, faces the following criminal charges:
- Possession of Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking
- Possession of Methamphetamine for the Purpose of Trafficking
- Possession of Marijuana
- Proceeds of Crime exceeding $5,000
- Breach of Probation
Both suspects were held in custody and appeared in court on Wednesday. Both suspect have been remanded and will appear in a Thunder Bay courtroom on Friday.
