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Over $75K in drugs seized during Bracebridge bust

Orillia street crime unit aided month-long probe; Two face numerous charges as investigators also seized cash, weapons, and a stolen ATV
OrilliaMatters Staff
2020-04-30 Bracebridge drug weapons seizure
OPP seized drugs, weapons, and cash during Bracebridge drug bust. Photo supplied by the Ontario Provincial Police

NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
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BRACEBRIDGE - During the month of April 2020, the Muskoka Community Street Crime Unit (CSCU) of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) engaged in a drug investigation in the Town of Bracebridge. As a result of this investigation, arrests and search warrants were executed in Bracebridge with the assistance of the OPP Tactics and Rescue Unit (TRU) on April 29, 2020.

On April 29, 2020, the OPP TRU team arrested two persons in the parking lot of Tim Horton's on Depot Drive. Soon after, the Muskoka CSCU with assistance from the Orillia CSCU executed a search warrant at a residence in the Town of Bracebridge. As a result of this investigation, two people have been charged for multiple offences and the following items have been seized:
    •    Cocaine with a street value of up to $33,000
    •    Over $30,000 in Canadian Currency
    •    Oxycodone pills (varying forms) with a street value of up to approximately $31,900
    •    Fentanyl patches with a street value of up to $12,000
    •    A loaded 9 mm restricted handgun
    •    An imitation firearm
    •    A crossbow
    •    Two prohibited knives
    •    Ammunition
    •    An ATV which was reported stolen the week of April 20, 2020

The following people have been charged:
James LaBelle (45), of Bracebridge, Ont:
    •    Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking - Cocaine S. 5(2) CDSA
    •    Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking - OxyContin 80mg S. 5(2) CDSA
    •    Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking - Oxycodone 10mg S. 5(2) CDSA
    •    Possession of Loaded Restricted Firearm S. 95(a) CCC
    •    Unauthorized Possession of a Restricted Firearm S. 91(1) CCC
    •    Careless Storage of a Firearm S. 86(1) CCC
    •    Careless Storage of Ammunition S. 86(1) CCC
    •    Possession of an Imitation Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose S. 88 CCC
    •    Three counts of Possession Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000 S. 354(1)(a) CCC
    •    Six counts of Possession of Firearm Contrary to Prohibition Order S. 117.01(1) CCC
    •    Three counts of Possession of Ammunition Contrary to Prohibition Order S. 117.01(1)

Nicole LaBelle (32) of Bracebridge, Ont.:
    •    Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking - Cocaine S. 5(2) CDSA
    •    Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking - OxyContin 80mg S. 5(2) CDSA
    •    Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking - Oxycodone 10mg S. 5(2) CDSA
    •    Possession of Loaded Restricted Firearm S. 95(a) CCC
    •    Unauthorized Possession of a Restricted Firearm S. 91(1) CCC
    •    Careless Storage of a Firearm S. 86(1) CCC
    •    Careless Storage of Ammunition S. 86(1) CCC
    •    Possession of an Imitation Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose S. 88 CCC
    •    Two counts of Possession Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000 S. 354(1)(a) CCC
    •    Unauthorized Possession of a Weapon S. 91(2) CCC

Both accused have been held for bail held via video at the Ontario Court of Justice in the City of Barrie on April 30, 2020.

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