Sarnia police seized over $53,000 worth of drugs and currency this week following a months-long drug trafficking investigation.
Earlier this year, the service's Vice Unit began investigating two suspects believed to be trafficking large quantities of crystal methamphetamine, cocaine and fentanyl in Sarnia.
At around 11:30 p.m. Thursday, officers executed a warrant on a vehicle parked on Walnut Street with the suspects inside the cabin.
Cst. John Sottosanti said when police approached the vehicle, one of the suspects attempted to flee on foot before he was arrested following a brief chase and struggle with officers.
The driver attempted to flee in the vehicle before striking an unmarked police cruiser. Fortunately, officers were able to arrest the suspect without further damage or injury.
Police later executed a search warrant at an address on Wellington Street near Russell Street, and seized 122.3 grams of pure fentanyl, the largest seizure of the substance in the service's history. Officers also confiscated:
- 0.55 grams of Crystal Methamphetamine - 287 grams of Marijuana - 1.01 grams of Cut Fentanyl - 72.21 grams Cocaine, and - $7,220 in Canadian Currency
The total value of the seized items is approximately $53,121.
Police have charged Derrick Michael Peachey, 40, of Sarnia, with two counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking, possession of a controlled substance, and resisting arrest.
Police have also charged Hengli Hoang, 26, of Toronto, with possession for the purpose of trafficking, possession for the purpose of selling cannabis contrary to the Cannabis Act, possession of property obtained by crime – over $5,000, and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.
Both Peachey and Hoang were being held pending a bail hearing.
Sottosanti said the record-breaking seizure of pure fentanyl has the potential to produce over a kilogram of cut fentanyl when mixed with a precursor.