Merrill LAND faces drug-trafficking and weapons charges after OPP seized suspected fentanyl, opioid pills, cash and an imitation Glock-style pistol

September 16, 2026

Kenora Drug Investigation Leads to Fentanyl, Opioid and Weapons Charges

OPP say officers seized suspected fentanyl, prescription opioids, cash and an imitation Glock-style pistol. The accused faces three drug-trafficking counts and four Criminal Code charges.

KENORA — CRIME NEWS — September 16, 2026 — A 37-year-old Kenora resident has been charged following an Ontario Provincial Police drug-trafficking investigation in the city.

The OPP reports that members of the Kenora Community Street Crime Unit arrested the accused on Tuesday, September 15, with assistance from the Kenora Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau and Kenora OPP Detachment.

Police say officers seized:

Approximately 3.09 grams of suspected fentanyl;
Nine capsules containing 100 milligrams of morphine each;
Thirty-six tablets containing eight milligrams of hydromorphone each;
Approximately $200 in Canadian currency; and
An imitation Glock-style pistol.

The substances have been described by police as suspected drugs. Their identity and composition would normally have to be established through admissible evidence if the case proceeds to trial.

Charges Laid

Merrill Land, 37, of Kenora, is charged with:

Three counts of possessing a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking;
Possession of proceeds of crime valued at $5,000 or less;
Possession of an imitation weapon for a dangerous purpose;
Carrying a concealed weapon; and
Possession of a firearm contrary to a prohibition order.

The accused was held for a bail hearing scheduled for September 16 before the Ontario Court of Justice. The OPP release did not provide the outcome of that hearing.

None of the allegations has been proven in court. The accused is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

What the Charges Mean and the Maximum Penalties

Charge	What the Crown Must Prove	Maximum Penalty
Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking — three counts	That the accused knowingly possessed the controlled substance and intended to sell, give, transfer, transport, deliver or otherwise traffic it.	Life imprisonment on each count. The offence is indictable.
Possession of proceeds of crime valued at $5,000 or less	That the accused possessed property or money knowing that it was obtained or derived, directly or indirectly, from an indictable offence.	Two years if prosecuted by indictment. If prosecuted summarily, the general maximum is two years less a day, a $5,000 fine, or both.
Possession of an imitation weapon for a dangerous purpose	That the accused carried or possessed a weapon or imitation weapon for a purpose dangerous to the public peace or to commit an offence.	Ten years if prosecuted by indictment. A summary-conviction option is also available.
Carrying a concealed weapon	That the accused knowingly carried a weapon or prohibited device in a concealed manner without lawful authorization.	Five years if prosecuted by indictment. A summary-conviction option is also available.
Possession contrary to a prohibition order	That a valid court order prohibited the accused from possessing the item and that the accused nevertheless possessed a firearm, prohibited weapon, restricted weapon, prohibited device, ammunition or another item covered by the order.	Ten years if prosecuted by indictment. A summary-conviction option is also available.

For hybrid Criminal Code offences, the Crown decides whether to proceed by indictment or summary conviction. Unless a different punishment is specified, the general maximum for a summary conviction is a $5,000 fine, imprisonment for up to two years less a day, or both.

Why the Drug Charges Carry a Life Maximum

Fentanyl, morphine and hydromorphone are opioids listed in Schedule I of Canada’s Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

Section 5 prohibits possessing a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking. When the allegation involves a Schedule I or Schedule II substance, the offence is indictable and carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

That does not mean a person convicted of possessing 3.09 grams of fentanyl or prescription opioid tablets would automatically receive a life sentence. Life imprisonment is the maximum available for the most serious cases covered by the section.

An actual sentence would depend on the proven facts, including the amount and type of drugs, the scale of trafficking, the accused’s role, prior convictions, whether weapons were involved, the risk to the public and the person’s individual circumstances.

The Crown would also have to prove more than simple possession. It must establish beyond a reasonable doubt that the drugs were possessed for trafficking.

Evidence can include packaging, communications, scales, cash, customer lists, observed transactions and expert evidence. The OPP release did not disclose what evidence, beyond the seized items, supports the alleged trafficking purpose.

Possession of Proceeds of Crime Under $5,000

Police say approximately $200 was seized and have charged the accused with possession of proceeds obtained by crime.

The presence of cash by itself does not establish the offence. The Crown must prove that the money or other property was obtained or derived from an indictable offence and that the accused knew of its criminal origin.

Because the alleged value is $5,000 or less, the offence carries a maximum of two years in prison when prosecuted by indictment. It may instead be prosecuted summarily.

Possession of an Imitation Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose

Section 88 of the Criminal Code applies to a weapon, an imitation weapon, a prohibited device or ammunition possessed for a purpose dangerous to the public peace or for committing another offence.

The charge does not require the object to be capable of firing a real bullet. An imitation handgun may still create the appearance of deadly force and may fall within the section.

However, simply possessing an imitation firearm is not enough to prove this particular offence. The Crown must also prove the alleged dangerous or criminal purpose. The maximum penalty is 10 years if the Crown proceeds by indictment.

Carrying a Concealed Weapon

Section 90 prohibits carrying a weapon, prohibited device or prohibited ammunition in a concealed manner without lawful authorization.

To secure a conviction, the Crown would have to prove that the item met the applicable legal definition, that the accused knowingly carried it and that it was concealed.

The maximum sentence is five years when prosecuted by indictment. The Crown may also elect to proceed summarily.

Possession Contrary to a Prohibition Order

A weapons prohibition order can prevent a person from possessing firearms, crossbows, prohibited or restricted weapons, prohibited devices, firearm parts, ammunition or explosives.

For this charge, the Crown must prove that a valid order was in force, that it covered the item in question and that the accused possessed that item.

The Criminal Code defines a replica firearm as a prohibited device. However, not every toy or imitation gun necessarily meets the technical definition of a replica firearm.

The police release describes the seized item only as an imitation Glock-style pistol and does not provide its specifications or the exact wording of the prohibition order. The court record will therefore be important in clarifying the legal classification alleged by the Crown.

The offence carries a maximum sentence of 10 years if prosecuted by indictment.

Maximum Penalties Are Not Added Automatically

The maximum sentences listed in the Criminal Code and Controlled Drugs and Substances Act show the highest punishment legally available. They are not predictions of what would happen in this case.

If there are convictions on several charges, a judge decides whether sentences are served at the same time or consecutively. The court must also apply the principles of proportionality, totality and restraint.

Charges may be withdrawn, stayed, amended or resolved through a plea. An accused may also be acquitted after trial. The final result depends on admissible evidence and decisions made in court—not the original police allegations.

How to Report Suspected Drug Trafficking

Anyone with information about illegal drug activity can contact the Ontario Provincial Police at 1-888-310-1122.

Anonymous information can be provided to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or through Ontario Crime Stoppers.

Residents should not confront suspected traffickers or attempt to seize drugs or weapons. Call 911 when there is an immediate threat to public safety.

Legal Sources

The explanations above provide general information about the offences listed by police. They are not legal advice and do not predict the outcome of this case.

Summary

A Kenora resident faces drug-trafficking and weapons charges after OPP seized suspected fentanyl, opioid pills, cash and an imitation Glock-style pistol.