Thunder Bay – NEWS – Thunder Bay Police Service’s Community Oriented Response and Engagement (CORE) Unit responded to a call for assistance at a south-side residence on Wednesday, July 16th, 2025.
Upon entry, officers located 29-year-old Austin Harris—who was under a court order excluding him from that address—and arrested him without incident. A search uncovered quantities of suspected cocaine and fentanyl, Canadian currency, a knife, and paraphernalia consistent with drug trafficking.
Accused: Austin Harris (29)
Charges:
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Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (Cocaine)
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Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (Fentanyl)
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Possession of Property Obtained by Crime (Under $5,000)
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Failure to Comply with a Probation Order
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Failure to Comply with a Release Order
Charge Explanations & Potential Penalties
1. Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (Cocaine & Fentanyl)
Under section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA), it is illegal to possess a Schedule I substance—such as cocaine or fentanyl—with intent to traffic. On conviction by indictment, offenders face up to life imprisonment; mandatory minimum sentences start at one year for first-time trafficking offences involving Schedule I drugs, rising to two years if aggravating factors (e.g., organized crime, violence) are proved.
2. Possession of Property Obtained by Crime (Under $5,000)
Section 354(1) of the Criminal Code makes it an offence to possess property knowing it was derived from an indictable offence. When the value does not exceed $5,000, conviction can proceed by indictment—punishable by up to two years’ imprisonment—or by summary conviction—punishable by up to two years less a day’s jail and/or a $5,000 fine.
3. Failure to Comply with a Probation Order
Under section 733.1 of the Criminal Code, breaching probation conditions without lawful excuse is an offence. Conviction on indictment carries a maximum penalty of four years’ imprisonment; summary conviction penalties include shorter jail terms and/or fines, at the court’s discretion.
4. Failure to Comply with a Release Order
Section 145(5) of the Criminal Code creates a hybrid offence for breaching non-attendance conditions of bail or release orders. If tried by indictment, the maximum penalty is two years’ imprisonment; if treated as a summary offence, penalties include up to six months’ jail and/or a fine (commonly up to $5,000).
Court Appearance:
Harris appeared in court on July 17, 2025, and was remanded into custody pending his next hearing date.
How to Safely Document Information for Police Reporting
If you have information relevant to this case (File TB25028089), please follow these guidelines to protect yourself and preserve evidence:
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Record Key Details:
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Date, time and precise location (address, landmarks)
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Descriptions of people (clothing, physical features) and vehicles (make, model, licence plate)
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Specific actions observed (e.g., hand-to-hand exchanges)
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Collect Evidence Safely:
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Photograph or video only if you can do so at a safe distance; preserve original metadata.
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Store any physical items (e.g., packaging) in sealed, labelled bags.
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Note Witness Information:
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Write down names and contact details of other observers if possible.
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Use Official Reporting Channels:
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Emergencies: Call 911 immediately.
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Non-Emergencies: Thunder Bay Police non-emergency line at 807-684-1200 (Mon–Fri, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.).
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Online Reporting: Submit non-emergency reports at thunderbaypolice.ca/services/online-reporting.
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Anonymous Tips: Contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or visit crimestoppers.net.
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Protect Your Privacy:
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Use encrypted messaging or secure email for sensitive information.
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Do not approach or confront suspects—observe from a safe distance and report.
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Your careful documentation and use of proper channels help ensure public safety and strengthen police investigations.
