Project “Mitigate” – first wave of arrests results in 7 charged
(Ottawa) — As part of a two month operation aimed at street level drug trafficking in the Byward Market and Lowertown area, the Ottawa Police Service Street Crime Unit has identified twenty-one (21) people involved in selling crack cocaine, amphetamines and opioids in the area.
Arrests began last Thursday, November 30. So far seven (7) people have been arrested and charged. That same day, a search warrant was executed on a residence in the 200 block of Murray St resulting in the seizure of crack cocaine. Two children, aged 1.5 and 3 years old, were put in the custody of the Children’s Aid Society.
Analysis is still pending on many of the drugs seized.
“This was a follow up to Project Flurry that concluded in July of this year. With the opening of supervised injection sites in the area we received more complaints related to traffickers attending the area to profit from people’s addictions.” said S/Sgt Rick Carey of the Ottawa Police Service Drug and Street Crime Units. “Unfortunately we’ve seen too often the level of violence that can stem from this type of crime.”
Charged persons are:
Roger EGIDIO, (M- 50yrs)
Jean Réginal FERNEZAN, (M – 48yrs)
Gabrielle FRADET, (M – 28yrs) – arrested on warrants for Gatineau PS
Sarah GILLIS, (F – 34yrs)
Andy JALBERT, (M – 46yrs)
Talib KHAMIS, (M – 31yrs)
Celina THIBEAULT, (F – 25yrs)
Charges include:
Possession for the purpose of Trafficking; Trafficking Schedule I substance and Possession of Proceeds of crime under $5000.
More arrests are expected.
Anyone needing information about drug use and resources available in the city can go to www.stopoverdoseottawa.ca
Anyone with information regarding drug complaints is encouraged to contact the Ottawa Police at 613-236-1222 ext. 7300