Five charged with trafficking in big Sault drug bust

Sault Ste. Marie police have charged five people with trafficking offences after an eight-month long investigation.

Police dubbed the investigation Project Oak, targeting what they say were high-level drug traffickers in the city.

On Aug. 24, officers arrested a 33-year-old woman and a 28-year-old man, both from Sault Ste. Marie.

After making the arrest, police searched a house on Third Line East where they found:

• 829 grams of crystal methamphetamine,
• 258 grams of cocaine,
• 134.5 grams of heroin,
• 22.2 grams of powder fentanyl
• 180 grams of marijuana

Police say the drugs have an estimated street value of $250,000.

In the search, police also turned up twohandguns, more than 200 rounds of ammunition, and $20,000 cash.

After the initial arrest, police also arrested two38-year-old men, and a 50-year-old man, all of Sault Ste. Marie. All three are facing charges of possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking.

Biggest drug bust in local history

Sault Ste. Marie police say they believe this is the most significant drug seizure in the history of their police service.

"It's really taking into account exactly what was seized," Const. Sonnie Spinatold CBC News.

"These are some very dangerous illicit drugs that were seized here. And we're really happy to be able to get those off of the streets."