Two busted for drug trafficking outside Richards Landing hospital

Two people face a number of drug-related charges after East Algoma OPP and Batchewana First Nation Police responded to a call for assistance at the hospital located in Richards Landing on the evening of July 12.

Responding officers seized quantities of cocaine and fentanyl, as well as Canadian currency and 14 cell phones during a search of the suspect’s vehicle, says a news release issued by OPP.

As a result, 28-year-old Devon Phillips and 48-year-old David Gingras face trafficking charges and other drug-related offences.

Full text of the release follows:

On July 12, 2023, shortly after 7:45 p.m., members from the East Algoma Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) received a request from a local hospital in Richards Landing to locate a patient that left in a blue car.

While on route to Richards Landing, OPP received information from members of the Batchewana First Nation Police Service (BFNPS) who advised they are familiar with the involved vehicle that left the hospital and the BFNPS officers were making their way to Richards Landing.

Police arrived on scene a short time later and observed a vehicle matching the description parked in front of the hospital with two occupants in the front seat. The person in the driver's seat gave a false name and while OPP were investigating the identity of a suspect, members from the Batchewana First Nation Police Service arrived on scene to assist and identified the person in the driver's seat as wanted.

Police searched the vehicle and located over 2 grams suspected cocaine (over $150), over 3 grams of suspected fentanyl (over $1,200), $20 in Canadian currency along with 14 cell phones.

Both accused were transported to Sault Ste Marie OPP Detachment for processing and as a result, the passenger Devon Phillips, 28 years of age from Sault Ste. Marie, was charged with:
    •    Possession of a Schedule I Substance for the purpose of trafficking - opioid (other than heroin)
    •    Possession of a Schedule I Substance for the purpose of trafficking - cocaine
    •    Possession of a Schedule I Substance - opioid (other than heroin)
    •    Possession of a Schedule I Substance - cocaine

David Gingras, 48 years of age from Batchewana First Nation, was charged with:
    •    Obstruct peace officer
    •    Possession of a Schedule I Substance for the purpose of trafficking - opioid (other than heroin)
    •    Possession of a Schedule I Substance for the purpose of trafficking - cocaine
    •    Possession of a Schedule I Substance - opioid (other than heroin)
    •    Possession of a Schedule I Substance - cocaine

Both accused are scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Elliot Lake on Aug. 10, 2023.