Cocaine, cash and replica firearm seized following warrant execution

NEWS RELEASE
THUNDER BAY POLICE SERVICE
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Police arrested three people and seized drugs and cash following the Wednesday evening search of a Windsor Street home.

Members of the Thunder Bay Police Service’s Intelligence Unit, with assistance from members of the OPP, executed the warrant at a home in the 200 block of Windsor Street before 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 25. The warrant was the result of an ongoing investigation into drug trafficking activity in the area.

When police entered the residence they located two individuals – a Toronto-area man and a local woman. Both were arrested and charged for drug-trafficking related offences.

A third individual, a 25-year-old Thunder Bay man, arrived at the residence while police were conducting their search. Police observed him to be in possession of what appeared to be a concealed firearm.

The man was arrested without incident and further investigation determined the firearm to be a replica.

A search of the home led to the seizure of a quantity of suspected crack cocaine, a quantity of suspected cocaine, Canadian currency and paraphernalia consistent with drug trafficking.

Bryton-Lee John Joseph PATAYASH, 25, of Thunder Bay is charged with:

• Carrying concealed weapon
• Possession of Firearm/ Ammunition Contrary to Prohibition Order
• Breach of Probation

Melvin OPPONG, 28, of Toronto, is charged with:

• Possession of Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000

Lindsay Amber ADEN, 34, of Thunder Bay, is charged with:

• Possession of Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000
• Breach of Probation
• Failure to Comply with Judicial Release

All three appeared in bail court on Thursday, March 26 and were remanded into custody with future appearance dates.