NEWS RELEASE / THUNDER BAY POLICE SERVICE
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Six arrested, cocaine and fentanyl seized
Police arrested six people for drug-trafficking related offences following a traffic stop on the city’s south side Monday night.
A Thunder Bay Police officer with the Uniform Patrol Branch conducted a traffic stop of a pickup truck in the 800 block of Simpson Street just after 11 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 31.
Further investigation revealed the motorist was in possession of a suspected controlled substance. The driver and five passengers were later arrested for drug trafficking-related offences.
During the arrest, one of the accused attempted to provide police with a false identity. The suspect’s true identity was later confirmed.
Police seized a quantity of suspected Fentanyl, a quantity of suspected Cocaine, a quantity of suspected Hydro-Morphine tablets, and cash. The estimated potential street value of drugs seized totals more than $75,000 CAD.
Six suspected were transported to the TBPS headquarters at 1200 Balmoral Street.
Hantel HERSHI, 23, of Ottawa, is charged with:
• Possession of Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking
• Possession of Fentanyl for the Purpose of Trafficking
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000
• Obstruct Peace Officer
• Failure to Comply with Release Order
Zachary Tyler Melvin LAPOSSIE-WOODBECK, 25, of Thunder Bay, is charged with:
• Possession of Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking
• Possession of Fentanyl for the Purpose of Trafficking
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000
Mahad MUSSE, 27, of Toronto, is charged with:
• Possession of Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking
• Possession of Fentanyl for the Purpose of Trafficking
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000
• Breach of Probation
• Probation Order: Non-Compliance
Destiny Heather Faith PAPASSAY, 28, of Thunder Bay, is charged with:
• Possession of Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking
• Possession of Crack Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking
• Possession of Fentanyl for the Purpose of Trafficking
• Possession of Hydro Morphine
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000
• Obstruct Peace Officer
• Probation Order: Non-Compliance
Roy Veijo VIIKERI, 50, of Thunder Bay, is charged with:
• Possession of Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking
• Possession of Fentanyl for the Purpose of Trafficking
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000
A 16-year-old male from Ottawa, is charged with:
• Possession of Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking
• Possession of Fentanyl for the Purpose of Trafficking
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000
All accused appeared in bail court on Tuesday, Feb. 1. The youth suspect and LAPOSSIE-WOODBECK are expected to re-appear today. Other suspects were remanded into custody with future appearance dates.
