THUNDER BAY — Two people were arrested after a traffic stop led to the seizure of suspected drugs and a gun loaded with hollow-point bullets.
The Thunder Bay Police Service's intelligence unit stopped a vehicle along the 500 block of Arthur Street West Tuesday morning as part of an ongoing investigation into the drug trade.
Officers arrested two people without incident — a 27-year-old Toronto man and a 24-year-old woman from Gravenhurst — and seized substances suspected to be fentanyl, cocaine, crystal methamphetamine and pills labelled as oxycodone with an estimated street value of more than $600,000.
Thunder Bay Police Service Insp. Jeremy Pearson noted historically, crystal methamphetamine hasn't had a market in the city.
"We are aware of it being a problem in outlying communities. Without becoming closed-minded and without rushing to judgment, we have to be cognizant of the possibility that that was possibly intended to move out of the city from the city and the outlying areas."
"It's also possible, and something we must consider, that there is an attempt to create a market [in Thunder Bay] for that substance."
Pearson said this particular investigation evolved over the course of months, and that are multiple drug trafficking investigations happening simultaneously.
"They are running multiple high-level, complex, extremely time-consuming, extremely costly and trying investigations simultaneously just in order to effectively combat the flow of illicit substances into the city," he said.
He even said that police remain concerned that drug traffickers continue to come to the region.
"The fact that both of our accused are not residents of Thunder Bay or the Thunder Bay district is indicative of the ongoing concern we have with out-of-town drug traffickers making Thunder Bay the place where they choose to apply their trade."
Police also seized a 2019 Jeep Cherokee as part of the investigation, along with scales and a handgun and close to $1,000 in cash.
The weapon that was seized was loaded and contained hollow-point tip bullets.
Both suspects will remain in police custody to face almost a total of 20 charges combined.
