NEWS RELEASE
THUNDER BAY POLICE SERVICE
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An investigation into ongoing drug trafficking activity that began in the fall of 2019 has led to the service’s largest-ever single fentanyl seizure in the Thunder Bay.
The Thunder Bay Police Service’s Intelligence Unit began an active investigation, which focused on an address in the 500 block of Van Norman Street, in October of 2019. Individuals identified via this investigation were believed to be supplying drug houses, commonly referred to as trap houses, throughout the city.
Those ongoing efforts led investigators to obtain a search warrant, which was executed with assistance from the OPP just before 6:45 p.m. on Wednesday, June 3, 2020.
When officers entered the residence they located and arrested two female accused persons. Meanwhile, in an upstairs bathroom, officers located a male accused. The male attempted to lock themselves inside a bathroom and was arrested after a brief struggle with officers.
As a result of their search of the home, police located and seized a large quantity of suspected fentanyl, a large quantity of crack cocaine, a large quantity of cocaine, about $150,000 CAD, a handgun and paraphernalia consistent with drug trafficking.
The total estimated street value of drugs seized amounts to nearly $400,000. More than one pound (570 grams) of fentanyl, and about 700 grams of Cocaine was seized as a result of this investigation.
Didier Denzel KONGOLO, 21, of Toronto is charged with:
• Possession of Fentanyl for the Purpose of Trafficking
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000
• Obstruct Peace Officer
• Possession of Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking
• Possession of a Prohibited or Restricted Firearm
• Careless Storage of a Firearm
• Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm
• Possession of a Prohibited or Restricted Firearm Knowing its Possession is Unauthorized
Verdiana LAMA, 20, of Mississauga, Ont., is charged with:
• Possession of Fentanyl for the Purpose of Trafficking
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000
• Possession of Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking
• Possession of a Prohibited or Restricted Firearm
• Careless Storage of a Firearm
• Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm
• Possession of a Prohibited or Restricted Firearm Knowing its Possession is Unauthorized
Janneka Lauren MARTINEZ, 24, of Manchester, England, is charged with:
• Possession of Fentanyl for the Purpose of Trafficking
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000
• Possession of Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking
• Possession of a Prohibited or Restricted Firearm
• Careless Storage of a Firearm
• Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm
• Possession of a Prohibited or Restricted Firearm Knowing its Possession is Unauthorized
All three appeared in bail court on Thursday, June 4 and were remanded into custody with future appearance dates.
