THUNDER BAY – LOCAL CRIME UPDATE — An 18-year-old man from Pickering, Ontario is facing multiple drug trafficking charges following a proactive patrol by Thunder Bay Police Service (TBPS) officers in the city’s south end.
On the morning of Tuesday, October 28, officers from TBPS’s Community Outreach and Engagement (CORE) Unit and the Housing Support Unit were conducting routine patrols at an apartment building on West Amelia Street around 9:00 a.m. when they encountered a male who was not a resident of the building.
Upon further investigation, police discovered:
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Suspected cocaine and fentanyl
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A quantity of cash
The items were consistent with drug trafficking activity, and the suspect was arrested on the spot.
👤 Accused Identified
Darnell LEWIS, 18, of Pickering, has been charged with:
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Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking – Cocaine (Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, Section 5(2))
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Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking – Fentanyl (CDSA, Section 5(2))
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Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000 (Criminal Code, Section 354(1)(a))
⚖️ Potential Penalties if Convicted
If convicted, Lewis could face severe penalties, including:
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For each drug trafficking charge (Cocaine and Fentanyl):
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A maximum sentence of life imprisonment under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
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Mandatory minimum sentences may apply if aggravating factors are proven (e.g., trafficking near schools or involving youth)
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For possession of property obtained by crime:
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Up to 2 years in prison for property valued under $5,000
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Fentanyl, in particular, is classified as an opioid linked to Canada’s ongoing overdose crisis, and trafficking of fentanyl is treated with the utmost seriousness by courts across Ontario.
Court Status
Lewis appeared in Thunder Bay bail court today and has been remanded into custody pending his next court appearance.
Police Encouragement to Report
The Thunder Bay Police Service continues to encourage residents to report suspicious activity—particularly in multi-unit housing, where trafficking operations may target vulnerable communities.
Anonymous tips can be submitted through Crime Stoppers at 📞 1-800-222-8477 or online at 🌐 www.p3tips.com
