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Since October 2024, officers from the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) 1 District Community Oriented Response and Engagement (CORE) Unit have been investigating the illegal sale of controlled substances in the area of Queenston Street and Church Street in St. Catharines.

The investigation, known as Project Dilly—a name referencing the street term for the prescription drug Hydromorphone (Dilaudid)—was launched in response to repeated community concerns about discarded prescription pill bottles found in the Queenston Street area. These findings raised red flags about potential drug diversion and related criminal activity.

In March 2025, officers from the 1 District CORE Unit, with support from the 1 and 2 District Street Crime Units, the Opioid Enforcement and Education Unit (OEEU), and the Special Investigative Services (SIS), arrested and charged four individuals in connection with the sale of prescription medications.

The Niagara Regional Police Service continues to work closely with healthcare and community partners to address the misuse of prescription drugs and to support strategies under the Safer Supply framework.

Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to contact detectives by calling 905-688-4111.

Members of the community 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 people who contact the program with information that leads to an arrest.