Multiple arrests in drugs and weapons investigation in Welland

Niagara police have arrested ten people in Welland on drugs and weapons charges dating back to an investigation that started in the spring.

Police launched the drug trafficking investigation in April into suspected illegal activities from a home in the area of Hennipen Avenue and Southworth Street.

As a result of the findings detectives identified multiple suspects and conducted two search warrants in Welland on Nov. 5.

During the search at the residence near Hennipen Avenue and Southworth Street police seized a stun gun and over 80 grams of suspected fentanyl with an estimated street value of over $16,500.

Both Patsy Nelson, 38, of Toronto and William Ostermaier, 39, of Niagara Falls, were arrested for possession of fentanyl for trafficking and unauthorized possession of a prohibited weapon. Ostermaier was also charged with failing to comply with probation.

Four Welland residents were charged with drug trafficking and prohibited weapons charges. The named individuals are: Jody Thibeault, 46, Shawn Marsh, 33, Joshua Hill, 42, and Patricia Latham, 41.

Marsh, Thibeault, Nelson and Ostermaier were all held in custody pending a bail hearing in St. Catharines on Thursday.

Hill and Latham were released with a future court date.

The second search warrant was at a home in the area of McAlpine Avenue and Lincoln Street and resulted in the arrest of four Welland residents: Trevor Lafontaine, 45, Jasmine Schaeffer-Burger, 31, Salvatore Mancuso, 49, and Jeremy McGilvery, 38.

All individuals were charged with failing to comply with probation and various drug “possession for the purpose of trafficking” charges for cocaine, meth and fentanyl.

Anyone with information about these individuals is asked to contact the investigating officers at 905-688-4111, option 3, extension 1009635.

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