Approximately $4.45 million worth of controlled substances was seized during Project Lancia, a six-month joint investigation involving the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service and lead by the Durham Regional Police Service.
Last Friday, 24 search warrants were executed in locations across Ontario including Sault Ste. Marie, states a news release issued today.
Three people from Sault Ste. Marie face a number of charges as a result.
Kim Morningstar, 50 years old:
• trafficking cocaine
• trafficking crystal meth
• possession cocaine for the purpose of trafficking x2
• possession crystal meth for the purpose of trafficking x2
• possession fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking
• conspiracy to commit and indictable offence
• possession of cannabis for the purpose of distributing
• possession other controlled drug for the purpose of trafficking
Destiny Nieminen, 25 years old:
• trafficking cocaine
• possession cocaine for the purpose of trafficking x2
• possession crystal meth for the purpose of trafficking x2
• possession fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking
• conspiracy to commit and indictable offence
Kerri Peplow, 44 years old:
• trafficking cocaine
• trafficking crystal meth
Sault police also made an arrest in January on Bainbridge Street related to Project Lancia that resulted in the seizure of $466,000 in narcotics, the largest in the history of the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service.
“I want to start by thanking our partner agencies, and of course our officers who spent many hours on this project," said Chief Hugh Stevenson in a statement posted to social media. "This was an extensive investigation over the last six months, and I’m proud to say our members were integral to the success of the project. Their professionalism and dedication helped remove more poison from our streets, and the streets of surrounding communities. This project has saved lives.”
"Project Lancia targeted a drug trafficking network, which was operating throughout the Province of Ontario," the release states. "Individuals were involved in the distribution of fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine and illicit cannabis products."
In total, 31 search warrants were executed during Project Lancia, which resulted in 24 arrests and 183 drug and firearm charges. In addition to $4.45 million dollars in drugs, nine firearms, $221,000 in cash and five motor vehicles were seized.
The investigation was a joint project with the Durham Regional Police Service, the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service, the Peterborough Police Service, the Brantford Police Service and the Criminal Intelligence Service Ontario (CISO).