THUNDER BAY – Three men face charges after allegedly occupying a vacant residence in Thunder Bay’s north end, in what the Thunder Bay Police Service described as a home takeover situation.
Police officers responded to reports of persons illegally occupying a vacant residence in the 0 to 100s block of Ontario Street on Wednesday evening, the force said.
Officers entered the building around 8:30 p.m. The subsequent investigation led to charges against two Thunder Bay men aged 42 and 63 years, and a Toronto man, 27.
The occupation may have been connected to drug trafficking activity, said director of communications Chris Adams.
The suspects will face lesser charges of possession of a controlled substance, however, while the Toronto man is also charged with possession of proceeds of crime under $5,000. All three suspects were released with future court dates, the TBPS reported.
Investigating officers recommended charges based on available evidence, Adams said, noting the ability to level trafficking versus possession charges relates in part to the amount of controlled substances found.
The substance is believed to be cocaine and is undergoing testing.
Adams said he could not comment on whether police had communicated with the owner of the vacant home during the investigation.
Police have confronted a slew of recent home takeovers connected to the drug trade, which often involve intimidation or coercion of residents, he said.
"As we've seen in the past year, we have a prevalent issue with people coming into the city to be involved in drug trafficking," he said.
Residents who are concerned about unusual activity in their neighbourhood are encouraged to call the Thunder Bay Police Service or submit anonymous tips to Crime Stoppers.
