A clandestine network trafficking cocaine across Ontario has been dismantled following a meticulous three-month investigation. Authorities uncovered a significant operation stretching from York Region to northern communities, culminating in multiple arrests and the seizure of a substantial quantity of narcotics.
The investigation, initiated in October, wasn’t a solo effort. York Regional Police collaborated with a coalition of law enforcement agencies – including the OPP, South Simcoe, Barrie, Toronto, and Durham forces – alongside Correctional Service Canada, demonstrating the widespread reach of the alleged criminal activity.
Nine search warrants were executed with precision, targeting residences and storage lockers scattered across Toronto, Vaughan, Barrie, Espanola, and Innisfil. The operation even extended within the walls of the Beaver Creek Institution in Gravenhurst, revealing a potential link to activity inside a correctional facility.
The searches yielded a staggering 102 kilograms of cocaine, alongside a loaded firearm and over $135,000 in cash. This wasn’t a small-time operation; the volume of drugs and money indicated a sophisticated and lucrative enterprise.
Sherrie Donovan, 40, of Espanola, and William Donovan, 29, of Toronto, now face charges of possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine and conspiracy to traffic. Their alleged roles appear central to the distribution network.
Kevin Forde, 36, and Solange Khan, both of Barrie, face a more extensive list of charges, including possession of a prohibited firearm, prohibited devices, and possession of proceeds of crime exceeding $5,000. Khan is also accused of conspiracy to traffic cocaine, suggesting a key organizational role.
Doniele Elie, 33, currently without a fixed address, is charged with conspiracy to traffic cocaine, while John Novak, 67, of Espanola, faces charges related to possession for the purpose of trafficking. The breadth of individuals charged highlights the network’s complexity.
In a separate, but equally significant investigation in Thunder Bay, authorities seized over $200,000 worth of illicit drugs. This included 230 grams of suspected fentanyl, 680 grams of cocaine, and 200 grams of crack cocaine.
Dayne Anthony Ricardo Jones, 38, of Scarborough, was arrested and charged with breach of a release order, along with possession charges related to both cocaine and fentanyl. The seizure underscores the growing threat of fentanyl alongside traditional narcotics.
The Thunder Bay investigation, led by the OPP’s Provincial Guns and Gangs Enforcement Team, involved collaboration with the Nishnawbe Aski Police and Thunder Bay Police, demonstrating a unified front against drug trafficking in northern Ontario.
