JOINT-FORCE INVESTIGATION LEADS TO $1.2M IN SEIZED DRUGS, 22 ARRESTS

(Timmins, ON) – Police arrested 22 accused on drug trafficking-related charges after a multi-jurisdictional investigation, known as Project Albion, seized more than $1.26 million in drugs and more than $300,000 in cash following searches in Timmins and Attawapiskat First Nation.

Project Albion is a Joint Forces Operation led by the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service, in collaboration with the Timmins Police Service, and Ontario Provincial Police, which began operation in September of 2024.

The investigation was also supported by the Lac Seul Police Service and UCCM Anishnaabe Police Service K9 Units.

The successful completion of this investigation was made possible through funding provided by the Ontario Government, Ministry of the Solicitor General in which the Criminal Intelligence Service Ontario supported this investigation.

The investigation into drug trafficking activity led to the execution of six search warrants in Attawapiskat First Nation and 14 search warrants in the City of Timmins. Residential addresses and five motor vehicles were the subjects of these search warrants. A total of 130 charges were laid as a result of this investigation.

Search warrants were executed in Attawapiskat First Nation between May 13 and May 26, and in the City of Timmins on Thursday, May 29.

As a result of these search warrants, police located and seized the following items:

  • Fentanyl
  • Crystal Methamphetamine
  • Methamphetamine pills
  • Cocaine
  • Oxycodone – Percocet and OxyContin pills
  • Hydromorphone pills
  • Morphine pills
  • Psilocybin
  • Lorazepam
  • Ritalin
  • MDMA
  • More than $300,000 CAD
  • Two motor vehicles
  • One firearm – Rifle
  • One Conducted Energy Weapon
  • Various paraphernalia consistent with drug trafficking

The estimated street value of drugs seized totals more than $1.25 Million.

The following individuals were arrested and charged as a result of the Project Albion investigation:

Renee Yvette CARRIERE, 41, of Timmins, is charged with:

  • Possession of Crystal Methamphetamines for the Purpose of Trafficking
  • Possession of Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking
  • Possession of Psilocybin for the Purpose of Trafficking
  • Possession of Oxycodone for the Purpose of Trafficking
  • Trafficking a Controlled Substance x 4
  • Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000 x 5

Shawn Lee LAFONTAINE, 46, of Timmins, is charged with:

  • Trafficking a Controlled Substance x 7
  • Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000 x 2
  • Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000 x 5

Bryan Evan Shane TOMAGATICK, 32, of Timmins, is charged with:

  • Possession of Fentanyl for the Purpose of Trafficking
  • Possession of Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking
  • Trafficking a Controlled Substance
  • Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000
  • Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000

Lascelles Fitzalbert BYFIELD, 61, of Timmins, is charged with:

  • Possession of Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking
  • Trafficking a Controlled Substance x 3
  • Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000 x 2

Shayna FARIES DIAMOND, 33, of Timmins, is charged with:

  • Possession of Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking
  • Possession of Methamphetamine for the Purpose of Trafficking
  • Possession of Hydromorphone for the Purpose of Trafficking

Julie KOOSTACHIN, 46, of Attawapiskat First Nation, is charged with:

  • Possession of Methamphetamine for the Purpose of Trafficking
  • Possession of Oxycodone for the Purpose of Trafficking
  • Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000

Faye ASHAMOCK, 47, of Timmins, is charged with:

  • Possession of Methamphetamine for the Purpose of Trafficking
  • Possession of Oxycodone for the Purpose of Trafficking
  • Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000

Michael TOOKATE, 54, of Attawapiskat First Nation, is charged with:

  • Possession of Methamphetamine for the Purpose of Trafficking
  • Possession of Oxycodone for the Purpose of Trafficking
  • Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000

Clayton KOOSTACHIN, 37, of Attawapiskat First Nation, is charged with:

  • Possession of Methamphetamine for the Purpose of Trafficking
  • Possession of Oxycodone for the Purpose of Trafficking
  • Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000

Lyle Manfred HANSEN, 75, of Timmins, is charged with:

  • Possession of Fentanyl for the Purpose of Trafficking x 2
  • Possession of Crystal Methamphetamine for the Purpose of Trafficking
  • Possession of Hydromorphone for the Purpose of Trafficking
  • Possession of Oxycodone for the Purpose of Trafficking
  • Possession of Percocet for the Purpose of Trafficking
  • Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000 x 2

Terri Ann RUMELESKI, 43, of Timmins, is charged with:

  • Possession of Fentanyl for the Purpose of Trafficking x 2
  • Possession of Crystal Methamphetamine for the Purpose of Trafficking
  • Possession of Hydromorphone for the Purpose of Trafficking
  • Possession of Oxycodone for the Purpose of Trafficking
  • Possession of Percocet for the Purpose of Trafficking
  • Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000 x 2

Johnathan TOOKATE, 45, of Attawapiskat First Nation, is charged with:

  • Possession of Fentanyl for the Purpose of Trafficking

Elsie SUTHERLAND, 29, of Attawapiskat First Nation, is charged with:

  • Possession of Oxycodone for the Purpose of Trafficking
  • Possession of Fentanyl for the Purpose of Trafficking
  • Possession of Methamphetamine for the Purpose of Trafficking
  • Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000

Kyle Cody Keith OKIMAW, 34, of Moose Factory First Nation, is charged with:

  • Possession of Fentanyl for the Purpose of Trafficking
  • Possession of Methamphetamine for the Purpose of Trafficking
  • Possession of Oxycodone for the Purpose of Trafficking
  • Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000

Vincent OKIMAW, 35, of Timmins, is charged with:

  • Possession of Oxycodone for the Purpose of Trafficking
  • Possession of Fentanyl for the Purpose of Trafficking
  • Possession of Methamphetamine for the Purpose of Trafficking
  • Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000

Dorothy M FIREMAN, 26, of Attawapiskat First Nation, is charged with:

  • Possession of Methamphetamine for the Purpose of Trafficking x 2
  • Possession of Fentanyl for the Purpose of Trafficking
  • Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000

Quinton FIREMAN, 27, of Moose Factory First Nation, is charged with:

  • Possession of Methamphetamine for the Purpose of Trafficking x 2
  • Possession of Fentanyl for the Purpose of Trafficking
  • Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000

Teisha FIREMAN, 26, of Attawapiskat First Nation, is charged with:

  • Possession of Methamphetamine for the Purpose of Trafficking x 2
  • Possession of Fentanyl for the Purpose of Trafficking
  • Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000

Traven FIREMAN, 22, of Attawapiskat First Nation, is charged with:

  • Possession of Methamphetamine for the Purpose of Trafficking x 2
  • Possession of Fentanyl for the Purpose of Trafficking
  • Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000

Justine SUTHERLAND, 37, of Attawapiskat First Nation, is charged with:

  • Possession of Methamphetamine for the Purpose of Trafficking
  • Possession of Oxycodone for the Purpose of Trafficking
  • Possession of Fentanyl for the Purpose of Trafficking
  • Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000

Chelsea IAHTAIL, 34, of Attawapiskat First Nation, is charged with:

  • Possession of Methamphetamine for the Purpose of Trafficking
  • Possession of Oxycodone for the Purpose of Trafficking
  • Possession of Fentanyl for the Purpose of Trafficking
  • Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000

Mathias IAHTAIL, 31, of Moose Factory First Nation, is charged with:

  • Possession of Methamphetamine for the Purpose of Trafficking
  • Possession of Oxycodone for the Purpose of Trafficking
  • Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000

The above-mentioned accused and the charges against them are now being processed through the courts. Investigations relating to Project Albion remain ongoing.