THUNDER BAY - A young man from the Greater Toronto Area recently charged with drug trafficking offences in Thunder Bay has been released from custody pending his trial.
Jurell Swindell, 19, of Markham was charged on Feb. 21 after he was allegedly found in possession of multiple illegal drugs including cocaine, heroin, fentanyl.
Swindell appeared in a Thunder Bay courtroom on Thursday morning for his bail hearing. Justice of the Peace Jennifer A. Neill granted the release order for Swindell but not without warning him of the severity of his charges.
“The drugs alleged to be involved are serious and deadly,” Neill said.
Some of Swindell’s charges include one count of possessing proceeds of property not exceeding $5,000, possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine, possession for the purpose of trafficking heroin and possession for the purpose of trafficking fentanyl.
The Justice of the Peace also went on to add the struggles Thunder Bay is facing when it comes to drug activity from southern Ontario residents.
“People are coming from the GTA, overtaking residents’ homes, vulnerable people…and using their weakness for drugs,” she said. “The allegations here bear a similar pattern of what’s happening here.”
Swindell was released to his sister acting as a surety with a $2,000 cash deposit. He is to leave Thunder Bay within the next three days and remain on house arrest in Markham and report to the Thunder Bay Police Service over the phone once a week. He is also subject to door checks by local police in his jurisdiction.
Neill granted Swindell’s release because he has no previous criminal record.
“I am not taking this lightly,” she said. “If you come back to Thunder Bay and you come back before me again you are staying in jail before trial...this is your last chance."
Swindell’s next court appearance is scheduled for next month by video.
