THUNDER BAY – NEWS – A 38-year-old man from Scarborough is facing serious drug trafficking charges under both the Criminal Code of Canada and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) following a major investigation into the movement of illicit drugs into Thunder Bay and surrounding First Nation communities.
The arrest is the result of a months-long, intelligence-led investigation led by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP)’s Provincial Guns and Gangs Enforcement Team (PGNG), with support from the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service (NAPS) and Thunder Bay Police Service (TBPS).
The multi-agency investigation focused on disrupting organized drug trafficking linked to criminal street gangs operating between the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and Northwestern Ontario.
Arrest and Drug Seizure
On Monday, December 8, 2025, officers from PGNG and the OPP Emergency Response Team arrested a suspect near Highway 11/17 and Dawson Road in Thunder Bay.
As part of the operation, police seized a large quantity of illicit drugs and drug trafficking-related items, including:
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230 grams of suspected fentanyl
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680 grams of suspected cocaine
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200 grams of suspected crack cocaine
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Two cell phones
The estimated street value of the seized substances exceeds $202,500.
Charges and Legal Implications
As a result of the investigation, Dayne Anthony Ricardo Jones, age 38, of Scarborough, has been formally charged with the following:
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Fail to Comply with Release Order – Section 145(5)(a), Criminal Code
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Potential Penalty: Up to 2 years imprisonment if prosecuted by indictment. This charge applies when an individual breaches a condition imposed by a court, such as curfews, travel restrictions, or other bail conditions.
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Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking – Cocaine – Section 5(2), CDSA
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Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking – Fentanyl – Section 5(2), CDSA
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Potential Penalty: A maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
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Under the CDSA, trafficking in Schedule I substances (which includes fentanyl and cocaine) carries mandatory minimum sentences in certain aggravating circumstances—such as organized crime involvement, use of weapons, or targeting youth.
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Jones was remanded into custody following his arrest and is expected to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Thunder Bay at a later date.
Ongoing Investigative Efforts
The Provincial Guns and Gangs Enforcement Team (PGNG) continues its efforts to disrupt organized criminal activities across Ontario. In Northwestern Ontario, PGNG includes members from the OPP, TBPS, and NAPS, with investigative support from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
The mandate of PGNG is to reduce illegal firearm circulation and dismantle street gang networks through multi-jurisdictional investigations targeting the trafficking of drugs and weapons across provincial and regional borders.
Public Assistance Requested
Police continue to seek information that may assist in reducing illegal drug and firearm activity in Ontario. Members of the public are encouraged to contact:
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OPP at 1-888-310-1122
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Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or online at ontariocrimestoppers.ca
In Summary :
Scarborough man charged after over $200K in fentanyl and cocaine seized in Thunder Bay drug trafficking probe.
