DEATH INVESTIGATION INITIATES DRUG INVESTIGATION AND CHARGES

On April 11, 2024, 3 District (Welland/Pelham) uniform officers with the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) responded to a call for service in which a 45-year-old male was found deceased in the Town of Pelham. The cause of death was determined to be drug overdose.  As part of the investigation, 3 District Detectives worked in conjunction with the Opioid Enforcement and Education Unit (OEEU) to identify the potential sources of origin for the illegal substances that were trafficked to the deceased prior to his death.

Information gleaned from the sudden death investigation resulted in a proactive drug investigation that has resulted in criminal charges against two (2) Stoney Creek residents.  

On Thursday, July 17, 2024, members of the OEEU and NRPS uniform officers, executed Controlled Substances Act search warrants on a vehicle and at a residence in Stoney Creek. The search warrants resulted in in the seizure of:

• 42 Fentanyl patches with an estimated street value of $4900,
• 492 Oxycodone pills with an estimated street value of $19,680, and
• $33, 900 in Canadian currency

The charges against the two accused persons include:

Radomir Horvath (51 years) faces the following charges:

• Possession of a Schedule I Controlled Substance (Fentanyl) for the Purpose of Trafficking, contrary to section 5(2) of The Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
• Possession of a Schedule I Controlled Substance (Oxycodone) for the Purpose of Trafficking, contrary to section 5(2) of The Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
• Possession of Proceeds of Crime Over $5000 contrary to section 355(a) of the Criminal Code.
• Possession of Proceeds of Crime Under $5000 contrary to section 355(b) of the Criminal Code. (Two Counts)

Horvath was held in custody pending a bail hearing on Thursday, July 18, 2024 at the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse in the City of St. Catharines.

Silvie Horvathova (49 years) faces the following charges:

• Possession of a Schedule I Controlled Substance (Fentanyl) for the Purpose of Trafficking, contrary to section 5(2) of The Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
• Possession of a Schedule I Controlled Substance (Oxycodone) for the Purpose of Trafficking, contrary to section 5(2) of The Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
• Possession of Proceeds of Crime Over $5000 contrary to section 355(a) of the Criminal Code.

She was later released from custody on a Promise to Appear and Officer in Charge Undertaking with a future court date.

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. 1009476.