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On Monday November 25, 2024, Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) uniform patrol officers assigned to 2 District (Niagara Falls / Niagara-on-the-Lake) with the assistance of detectives assigned to the 2 District Criminal Investigative Branch (CIB) commenced an investigation following the discovery of a 63 year old male found deceased inside a motel room in the City of Niagara Falls.

As the cause of death was believed to be related to a drug overdose the NRPS Opioid Enforcement and Education Unit (OEEU) became involved and initiated a parallel investigation into the criminal element and drug trafficking events that led to the individual’s death.  As a result of the investigation, it was determined the deceased had acquired fentanyl from a mobile drug trafficker prior to his death.  Samples of the suspected illicit drugs collected from within the motel room were analyzed by the Centre of Forensic Sciences and determined to contain various Fentanyls including Flurorfentanyl, Fentanyl and Methylfentanyl.  With the assistance of the Ontario Chief Coroner’s Office the cause of death was ruled to be as a result of Fentanyl and Flurofentanyl toxicity.

With the assistance of 3 District (Welland/Pelham) and 2 District Street Crime Units, a group of individuals were identified as being responsible for making suspected mobile drug transactions in the cities of Niagara Falls and Welland.

On Wednesday April 23, 2025, with the assistance of the Emergency Task Unit (ETU), a Controlled Drugs and Substances Act search warrant was executed at a residence in the “Dain City” neighbourhood of Welland.

As a result of the search warrant police seized the following:

  • A total of 610 grams of suspected fentanyl packaged in various weights and colours with an estimated street value of $73,200
  • A total of 517 grams of suspected crystal methamphetamine packaged in various weights with an estimated street value of $15,500
  • A total of 185.2 grams of suspected powdered and crack cocaine packaged in various weights with an estimated street value of $14,800
  • $5000 dollars in Canadian Currency
  • A 9mm handgun with an extended magazine

Chantelle WITTER (30 years) of Welland is charged with the following criminal offences:

  • Possession of a Schedule I Substance (Fentanyl) for the Purpose of Trafficking contrary to section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
  • Possession of a Schedule I Substance (Methamphetamine) for the Purpose of Trafficking contrary to section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
  • Possession of a Schedule I Substance (Cocaine) for the Purpose of Trafficking contrary to section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
  • Possession of Proceeds of Crime under $5000 contrary to section 355(b) of the Criminal Code
  • Careless Storage of a Firearm contrary to section 86(1) of the Criminal Code
  • Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose contrary to section 88(1) of the Criminal Code
  • Possession of a Prohibited Device contrary to section 88(1) of the Criminal Code
  • Possession of a Firearm Without Holding a Valid License contrary to section 91(1) of the Criminal Code
  • Breach of Recognizance contrary to section 811 of the Criminal Code

Joel Alexander NICHOLS (19 years) of Toronto is charged with the following criminal offences:

  • Possession of a Schedule I Substance (Fentanyl) for the Purpose of Trafficking contrary to section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
  • Possession of a Schedule I Substance (Methamphetamine) for the Purpose of Trafficking contrary to section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
  • Possession of a Schedule I Substance (Cocaine) for the Purpose of Trafficking contrary to section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
  • Possession of Proceeds of Crime under $5000 contrary to section 355(b) of the Criminal Code
  • Careless Storage of a Firearm contrary to section 86(1) of the Criminal Code
  • Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose contrary to section 88(1) of the Criminal Code
  • Possession of a Prohibited Device contrary to section 88(1) of the Criminal Code
  • Possession of a Firearm Without Holding a Valid License contrary to section 91(1) of the Criminal Code

Alexander SOLOMON (29 years) of Toronto is charged with the following criminal offences:

  • Possession of a Schedule I Substance (Fentanyl) for the Purpose of Trafficking contrary to section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
  • Possession of a Schedule I Substance (Methamphetamine) for the Purpose of Trafficking contrary to section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
  • Possession of a Schedule I Substance (Cocaine) for the Purpose of Trafficking contrary to section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
  • Possession of Proceeds of Crime under $5000 contrary to section 355(b) of the Criminal Code
  • Careless Storage of a Firearm contrary to section 86(1) of the Criminal Code
  • Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose contrary to section 88(1) of the Criminal Code
  • Possession of a Prohibited Device contrary to section 88(1) of the Criminal Code
  • Possession of a Firearm Without Holding a Valid License contrary to section 91(1) of the Criminal Code

Terrance CONSTANTINE (30 years) of Toronto is charged with the following criminal offences:

  • Possession of a Schedule I Substance (Fentanyl) for the Purpose of Trafficking contrary to section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
  • Possession of a Schedule I Substance (Methamphetamine) for the Purpose of Trafficking contrary to section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
  • Possession of a Schedule I Substance (Cocaine) for the Purpose of Trafficking contrary to section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
  • Possession of Proceeds of Crime under $5000 contrary to section 355(b) of the Criminal Code
  • Careless Storage of a Firearm contrary to section 86(1) of the Criminal Code
  • Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose contrary to section 88(1) of the Criminal Code
  • Possession of a Prohibited Device contrary to section 88(1) of the Criminal Code
  • Possession of a Firearm Without Holding a Valid License contrary to section 92(1) of the Criminal Code
  • Possession of a Firearm Contrary to a Prohibition Order contrary to section 117.01(1) of the Criminal Code
  • Failure to Comply with a Release Order contrary to section 145(5)(a) of the Criminal Code

All four individuals were held for a bail hearing scheduled to take place on April 24, 2025, at the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse, located at 59 Church Street in the City of St. Catharines.

The OEEU is funded by the Ontario Government’s Community and Safety Policing Grant. The OEEU is a Niagara Regional Police Service initiative focused on education regarding the risk associated with illicit opioid use, while incorporating enforcement to address opioid-related issues within our community.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact detectives by calling 905-688-4111, option 3, ext. 1009716.

Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to persons who contact the program with information which leads to an arrest.

 

Incident #25-41071

 

Images of Evidence Seized #1

 

Images of Evidence Seized #2

 

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