Search warrant of St. Catharines residence leads to 9 arrests

Niagara police say a search warrant of a residence lead to nine arrests in St. Catharines.

Police say in March they began an investigation into alleged illegal activities occurring at a residence in the area of Read Road and Lakeshore Road, in the City of St. Catharines.

On Tuesday, detectives were granted authority to enter the residence. As a result, an extensive search of the residence and surrounding property in relation to a human trafficking investigation was conducted.

The warrant was executed at around 10 a.m. and then detectives requested a second search warrant for the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act purposes, which was granted to continue the search at the location.

Investigators say they seized:

• 188 grams in fentanyl
• 154 grams of crack cocaine
• 31 oxycodone pills
• 91 hydromorphones
• 293 grams of crystal meth
• $7,000 in proceeds of crime
• Personal items related to the investigation

The estimated street value of the total drugs seized is $80,000. A large stolen recreational trailer was also seized with an estimated value of $25,000.

Police say there have been no charges laid in regards to Human Trafficking so far but the investigation is ongoing.

City of St. Catharines Bylaw, the St. Catharines Fire Department, and building inspectors attended to assess the property for safety concerns and violations. Their investigation and fines remain ongoing.

38 year-old Brian Mao of St. Catharines was arrested and charged with the following offences:

• Possession for the purpose of trafficking (4 Counts)
• Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000

30 year-old Chelsea Vankekem of no fixed address was arrested and charged with the following offences:

• Possession for the purpose of trafficking (4 Counts)
• Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000

52 year-old David Venketeswaran of St. Catharines was arrested and charged with the following offences:

• Outstanding arrest warrant for fail to attend court

49 year-old Peter Dipinto of no fixed address was arrested and charged with the following offence:

• Outstanding arrest warrant for fail to attend court

33 year-old Joseph Fowler of St. Catharines was arrested and charged with the following offence:

• Outstanding arrest warrant for fail to comply

54 year-old Travis Gillan of Thorold, was arrested and charged with the following offences:

• Outstanding arrest warrant for fail to attend court
• Outstanding warrant for fail to comply

58 year-old Jason Grove of St. Catharines was arrested and charged with the following offences:

• Outstanding arrest warrant for fail to attend court

54 year-old Scott Russell of no fixed address was arrested and charged with the following offence:

• Outstanding arrest warrant for fail to attend court

Police say Grove was released on a Form 10-Undertaking with a future court date.

All remaining accused were sent to bail pending a video bail hearing that took place Wednesday in St. Catharines.

Anyone with information is asked to contact detectives.