Provincial police searched a Katherine Street home in Collingwood early yesterday morning where they found a loaded handgun, cocaine and fentanyl, which led to the arrest of five people.
The search, which took place at 3 a.m. on Sept. 12, was part of a drug trafficking investigation ongoing by the Collingwood and The Blue Mountains OPP community street crime unit that began this summer.
Collingwood OPP officers were joined by members of the OPP tactics and rescue unit, the Huronia West OPP street crimes unit, OPP canine unit, and the OPP organized crime enforcement bureau.
Police say they discovered and arrested five people during the search.
In addition to the loaded handgun, police say they also seized more than 5.5 ounces of cocaine, 26 grams of fentanyl, seven grams of psilocybin (magic mushrooms), three expandable batons, $855 Canadian cash, and other "evidence of drug trafficking."
Of the five people arrested, Christopher Sabean, 48, of Collingwood, has been charged with:
- possession of Schedule 1 substance for the purpose of trafficking (cocaine)
- possession of Schedule 1 Substance for the purpose of trafficking (fentanyl)
- knowledge of unauthorized possession of a firearm
- possession of a loaded firearm
- possession of firearm knowing serial number has been tampered with
- unauthorized possession of a firearm
- possession of prohibited ammunition or device (two counts)
- possession of firearm contrary to a prohibition order
- failure to comply with a release order
- possession of proceeds of crime.
Police also arrested Jennifer McIntyre, 32, of Collingwood, who faces charges for possessing drugs for the purpose of trafficking, one count for cocaine and one for fentanyl.
April Byers, 44, Tammy Carson, 39, and James Thornington, 48, all from Collingwood, were all arrested and charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.
None of the charges have been proven in court.
Sabean and McIntyre were held in custody to await a bail hearing in Barrie, while Byers, Carson and Thornington were released on undertakings and will appear in Collingwood court later.
