Two Thorold residents—a 21-year-old man and a 16-year-old youth—have been arrested in connection with a fatal drug overdose that occurred in St. Catharines earlier this year.
The full press release is below:
NEWS RELEASE
NIAGARA REGIONAL POLICE SERVICE
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In January of 2022, the Niagara Regional Police 1 District Detective Office as well as the Opioid Enforcement Unit began an investigation into the death of a male in his residence in the city of St. Catharines. This male’s death was attributed to a drug overdose.
As a result, the Opioid Enforcement Unit and the St. Catharines Street Crime Unit began an investigation into the illegal sale of drugs by a suspected mobile drug dealer using a 2014 white Mercedes to facilitate these transactions.
On Tuesday March 8, 2022, detectives executed a Controlled Drugs and Substances Act search warrant at a residence in Thorold, and subsequently arrested two males at another location. Detectives seized approximately 26 grams of suspected cocaine (estimated street value of $3200), drug packaging, a money counter, a digital scale, brass knuckles, and a replica Glock style pellet gun.
A 16-year-old youth male from Thorold has been arrested, and is charged with:
- Trafficking a Controlled Substance contrary to section 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
- Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking contrary to section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
- Possession of a Prohibited Weapon contrary to section 92(2) of the Criminal Code.
Damon Robert Hale (21 years old) of Thorold has been arrested, and is charged with:
- Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking contrary to section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
Both males were released from custody on Form 10 Undertakings with future court dates.
The Youth Criminal Justice Act of Canada prohibits the Niagara Regional Police Service from releasing the identity of the youth male arrested in this investigation.
The Niagara Regional Police Service Opioid Enforcement and Education Unit is partially funded by a grant from the Ministry of the Solicitor General.
Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to persons who contact the program with information which leads to an arrest.
Click Here For Crime Stoppers Online
Anyone with information about this investigation can contact detectives at 905-688-4111, extension 1009476.
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