OPP Street Crime Seizes Suspected Fentanyl & Crack Cocaine

North Grenville – Thefts of rental trailers in North Grenville and Smiths Falls have led to drug trafficking charges against a resident of Gatineau.

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) East Region Community Street Crime Unit had begun investigating the theft of utility trailers in the area on October 21 and 25. These were connected to thefts of similar trailers October 27 and 28 in Smiths Falls.

Working with the Smiths Falls Police Service and Gatineau Police, a suspect was identified, and on October 29, 2024, the OPP Street Crime Unit was arrested at a location on Rideau Street in Ottawa.

Officers seized nearly 30 grams of suspected fentanyl and almost two grams of suspected crack cocaine.

Shane RIOPELLE, age 43 of Gatineau, has been charged with:

• Possession of a Schedule 1 substance for the purpose of trafficking – two counts
• Theft over $5000

The accused was released from OPP custody and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Brockville on November 15, 2024.

The individual was then turned over to the custody of Smiths Falls Police and was held for a bail hearing.