39 charges laid after $6M worth of drugs seized: OPP

The success of Project Midfield has resulted in the seizure of 47 kilograms of suspected cocaine and the arrest of three individuals facing a total of 39 charges under the Criminal Code (CC), the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) and the Cannabis Act (CA).

In September, the OPP-led Biker Enforcement Unit, along with the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) Drug Unit and Brockville Police Service (BPS) Intelligence Unit, began Project Midfield to address drug-trafficking activity in Ottawa and eastern Ontario, with a connection to the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

On Nov. 27, police executed four search warrants at residences and vehicles in Ottawa and Milford. As a result, the following items were seized:

• One firearm;
• Five magazines with ammunition;
• Body armour;
• 47 kilograms of suspected cocaine;
• 250 grams of suspected psilocybin;
• Over 100 pounds of illicit cannabis;
• Five cell phones;
• A money counter;
• Indicia of drug trafficking, including packaging and a digital scale;
• $6,810 in Canadian currency; and
• Two vehicles as offence-related property.

Police estimate the street value of the drugs seized is more than $6 million.

“The quantity of cocaine seized in this investigation will have a significant impact on local drug trafficking networks,” OPP Acting Chief Superintendent Mike Stoddart of the Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau said in a release. “The OPP will continue to work on joint forces initiatives with our partner agencies to remove illegal drugs from our communities.”

A combined total of 39 charges were laid against three individuals.

Dylan Graham, 37, of Ottawa, and Kaylee Diotte, 22, of Milford, have each been charged with the following 18 offences:

• Possession of proceeds of crime over $5,000, s. 345 (1) CC;
• Careless storage of a firearm, s. 86(1) CC;
• Storage of a firearm in contravention of regulations, s. 86(2) CC;
• Possession of weapon for dangerous purpose, s. 88(1) CC;
• Possession of a firearm, knowing its possession is unauthorized, s. 92(1) CC;
• Four counts of possession of prohibited weapon, device or ammunition knowing its possession is unauthorized, s. 92(2) CC;
• Possession of prohibited or restricted firearm with ammunition, s. 95(1) CC;
• Five counts of possession of weapon obtained by commission of offence, s. 96(1) CC;
• Possession for the purposes of trafficking – cocaine, s. 5(2) CDSA;
• Possession for the purpose of trafficking – psilocybin, s. 5(2) CDSA; and
• Possession of cannabis for the purpose of distributing, s. 9(5) CA.

Emma Durkan, 25, of Ottawa, has been charged with three offences:

• Possession for the purposes of trafficking – cocaine, s. 5(2) CDSA;
• Possession for the purpose of trafficking – psilocybin, s. 5(2) CDSA; and
• Possession of cannabis for the purpose of distributing, s. 9(5) CA.

Two accused were taken into custody upon arrest, and one was released. All three are scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Ottawa at a later date. 

“To keep Ontario communities safe from those who seek to cause harm for profit, it’s crucial that services collaborate-something clearly demonstrated by the success of Project Midfield,” OPS Superintendent Jamie Dunlop of the Serious and Organized Crime Unit said in a release.

“This achievement underscores the power of partnerships and our shared commitment to keeping our neighbourhoods safe,” BPS Deputy Chief Andrew Harvie added.  

Anyone with information about the possession, production or trafficking of illegal drugs should contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or ontariocrimestoppers.ca.