Police allege 450 grams of cocaine, phones and trafficking paraphernalia seized during Dawson Road-area traffic stop
THUNDER BAY — A 55-year-old Toronto resident is facing Criminal Code and Controlled Drugs and Substances Act charges following an intelligence-led drug trafficking investigation in Thunder Bay, Ontario Provincial Police say.
The OPP-led Provincial Guns and Gangs Enforcement Team (PGNG)—with members from the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service (NAPS) and the Thunder Bay Police Service (TBPS)—began an investigation in January 2026 into alleged drug trafficking activity in Thunder Bay and surrounding communities.
Traffic stop and seizure
Police say that on Thursday, January 22, 2026, PGNG investigators—assisted by the OPP Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau, OPP Community Street Crime Unit, and Thunder Bay OPP—conducted a traffic stop on a suspect vehicle near Dawson Road.
Officers seized, police allege:
-
approximately 450 grams of suspected cocaine
-
two cell phones
-
packaging materials and a digital scale
Charges laid
Police say Costy Dessources, 55, of Toronto, was arrested and charged with:
-
Possession of proceeds of crime — Criminal Code s. 354(1)(a)
-
Possession for the purpose of trafficking – cocaine — Controlled Drugs and Substances Act s. 5(2)
The accused was held for a bail hearing and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.
All allegations have not been proven in court. Accused persons are presumed innocent.
What the charges mean — and potential penalties if convicted
Possession of proceeds of crime (Criminal Code s. 354)
This offence applies when a person is alleged to have possessed property or proceeds knowing they were obtained directly or indirectly from an indictable offence.
Penalty depends on the value involved, set out in Criminal Code s. 355:
-
If the value is more than $5,000 (or involves a testamentary instrument): up to 10 years imprisonment if prosecuted by indictment
-
If the value is $5,000 or less: up to 2 years imprisonment if prosecuted by indictment
(Section 355 also allows for summary conviction options, depending on how the Crown proceeds.)
Possession for the purpose of trafficking (CDSA s. 5)
“Possession for the purpose of trafficking” alleges possession of a controlled substance intended for trafficking.
Where the substance is in Schedule I (which includes cocaine), the Act provides that a person convicted of trafficking or possession for the purpose of trafficking is liable to imprisonment for life.
Public tips
Anyone with information about illegal firearms or drug trafficking is asked to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Anonymous tips can be made to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or via ontariocrimestoppers.ca.
Police note the PGNG in Northwestern Ontario includes members from the OPP, TBPS and NAPS, with support from the RCMP, and focuses on intelligence-led investigations aimed at disrupting gang-related drug trafficking and reducing illegal firearms.
