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Weapons, drugs, vehicles seized after search of three local homes

Police say the investigation began in August; several OPP detachments, including Orillia and Muskoka, helped execute the busts
OrilliaMatters Staff

Three people are facing drug and weapon charges after police searched homes in Barrie, Essa and Tay on Thursday.

The search warrants were executed at three residences as part of an investigation that began in August, Nottawasaga OPP said in a news release.

The Nottawasaga OPP's crime unit executed the warrants with assistance from members of the OPP Nottawasaga Crime Reduction Unit (CRU), Huronia West Detachment, Collingwood and Blue Mountains detachment, Orillia detachment, Southern Georgian Bay CSCU, and Muskoka Crime Unit.

The searches took place Thursday at about 11:40 a.m., resulting in the seizure of the following:

  • 121 grams of cocaine
  • Four imitation handguns
  • A switchblade knife
  • Drug trafficking paraphernalia
  • 494 pieces of ammunition (blanks)
  • About $5,000 in Canadian currency
  • Jewelry valued at about $20,000
  • Unmarked cigarettes
  • Vehicles in relation to the offence

Christopher Wice, 42, of Angus, has been charged with the following:

  • Trafficking in a Schedule 1 substance (cocaine)
  • Possession of a Schedule 1 substance for the purpose of trafficking (cocaine)
  • Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime over $5,000 (two counts)
  • Possession of a prohibited device or ammunition
  • Possession of an imitation weapon for a dangerous purpose (four counts)

Joshua Kujansuu, 38, of Barrie, has been charged with the following:

  • Trafficking in a Schedule 1 substance (cocaine)
  • Possession of a Schedule 1 substance for the purpose of trafficking (cocaine)
  • Possession of an imitation weapon for a dangerous purpose
  • Failure to comply with a probation order (four counts)
  • Having care or control of a vehicle or boat with cannabis readily available
  • Possession of unmarked cigarettes

Christopher Russell, 42, of Angus, has been charged with the following:

  • Trafficking in a Schedule 1 substance (cocaine)
  • Possession of a Schedule 1 substance for the purpose of trafficking (cocaine)
  • Possession of an imitation weapon for a dangerous purpose (four counts)

All three were held for a bail hearing.