Major Drug Seizure in Owen Sound and Surrounding Area

Owen Sound, ON – In February 2025, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) West Region Intelligence Unit, in partnership with the Grey Bruce Community Street Crime Unit (CSCU) and the Owen Sound Police Service, launched Project Backboard, a targeted investigation into suspected drug trafficking activities in the City of Owen Sound and surrounding communities, including Grey and Bruce Counties.

Following months of investigative work, police executed three simultaneous search warrants under Section 11 of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act on April 24, 2025 — all within the City of Owen Sound.

The operation involved members of the OPP Tactics and Rescue Unit (TRU), West Region Emergency Response Team (ERT), OPP Canine Unit, Owen Sound Police Service Criminal Investigations Branch, West Region Intelligence, and Community Street Crime Units from Huron Perth, Wellington, and Grey Bruce.

Investigators seized more than $99,878 worth of drugs, including 469 grams of cocaine, 43 grams of crack cocaine, 85 grams of fentanyl, 331 oxycodone pills, and 13 grams of MDMA (ecstasy). Along with the drug seizures, investigators confiscated $13,500 in cash and various assets, including multiple cell phones, tablets, a computer, packaging equipment, a currency counter, digital scales, and a loaded 9mm handgun.

A 20 year old male from Hamilton, has been charged with:

• Possession for the purpose of trafficking – Cocaine
• Possession for the purpose of trafficking – Fentanyl
• Possession for the purpose of trafficking – Methamphetamine
• Possession for the purpose of trafficking – Oxycodone
• Unsafe storage of a firearm
• Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
• Unauthorized possession of a firearm
• Possession of a prohibited/restricted firearm with ammunition
• Possession of property obtained by crime (cash)

A 45 year old female from Owen Sound, has been charged with:

• Possession of a controlled substance – Cocaine

A 46 year old male from Owen Sound, has been charged with:

• Failure to comply with a release order (two counts)

A 64 year old male from Owen Sound, has been charged with:

• Possession for the purpose of trafficking – Cocaine
• Possession for the purpose of trafficking – Oxycodone

A 59 year old female from Owen Sound, has been charged with:

• Possession for the purpose of trafficking – Cocaine
• Possession for the purpose of trafficking – Oxycodone

A 49 year old female from Owen Sound, has been charged with:

• Possession for the purpose of trafficking – Cocaine
• Possession for the purpose of trafficking – Oxycodone

The seizure of 85 grams of fentanyl is particularly significant. Fentanyl is typically sold in 0.1-gram increments, meaning this seizure equates to approximately 850 individual doses — and potentially 850 overdoses prevented.

This is a significant disruption to drug trafficking operations in our region. Removing these substances and firearms from our streets will have a direct, positive impact on community safety. The Owen Sound Police Service and the Ontario Provincial Police remain committed to addressing the opioid crisis head-on and protecting our communities from the devastating effects of illicit drug use.