Thunder Bay Police Deliver Major Blow to Local Drug Trade

Well, what a scene unfolded in Thunder Bay earlier this week! The local police service, specifically their dedicated Intelligence Unit, really turned up the heat on the drug trade in the city’s West End. Picture this: a coordinated operation, hitting a residential address on Amelia Street West, and it all went down on Thursday morning, December 14th.

It wasn't just the Intelligence Unit, either; oh no. This was a proper team effort, showcasing some fantastic inter-unit collaboration. They brought in the Community Oriented Response and Engagement (CORE) Unit, the Primary Response Unit, and even their K9 Unit. When you see that many different police teams converging, you know they mean business, and they certainly did here.

And business it was. Upon executing the search warrant, officers made some pretty significant discoveries, let me tell you. Inside that residence, they found a stash of suspected fentanyl – a truly dangerous substance that continues to plague communities – along with what they believe to be crack cocaine. But it wasn't just the drugs; they also seized an undisclosed but “significant” amount of Canadian currency, clearly the proceeds of illicit activities, plus various items of drug paraphernalia. It's a stark reminder of the grim reality of drug trafficking.

Ultimately, four individuals were taken into custody following the raid. It's a diverse group, all residents of Thunder Bay, and they're now facing some rather serious charges. These are Justin Daniel Bova, 35; Sasa Samardzija, 33; Chantelle Mary Elizabeth Oombash, 31; and Kevin Matthew Bova, also 35. Quite a few names, right?

Each of these four has been charged with possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking, which is no small matter. Furthermore, they're also facing charges of possession of proceeds of crime over $5,000. These aren't minor infractions; these are serious allegations that carry significant legal consequences, really highlighting the commitment of the Thunder Bay Police to disrupt these networks.

All four individuals were held in custody overnight, and by Friday, December 15th, they had a date with the courts. This kind of swift action, from raid to court appearance, sends a pretty clear message: drug trafficking won't be tolerated in Thunder Bay. It’s a win for community safety, plain and simple.