Durham Regional Police have announced charges against four people following two separate drug investigations that resulted in searches in Bowmanville and Ajax.
The Durham drug trafficking investigations were announced Tuesday, Aug. 25, by the Durham Regional Police Service Drug Enforcement Unit. Police say the cases are separate and involved different suspects and locations.
In the first investigation, police seized several types of controlled substances after executing a warrant at a Bowmanville residence. A second investigation in Ajax resulted in the seizure of more than 560 grams of cocaine, oxycodone, cash and a loaded prohibited firearm magazine.
Bowmanville search follows Oshawa investigation
DRPS describes the first case as a drug-trafficking investigation in Oshawa.
On Friday, Aug. 21, members of the Drug Enforcement Unit, assisted by the Provincial Joint Forces Cannabis Enforcement Team, executed a search warrant at a residence in Bowmanville.
Police allege officers located a large quantity of drugs, including Adderall, Percocet, cocaine, ecstasy, MDMA, GHB, mushrooms and cannabis.
Dennis Osaka Grant, 46, of Clarington faces numerous allegations, including trafficking cocaine, MDMA, Percocet and Adderall, as well as possession of several controlled substances for the purpose of trafficking.
Ashley Oswald, 40, of Whitby faces multiple possession-for-the-purpose-of-trafficking allegations involving substances including Adderall, Percocet, cocaine, ecstasy, MDMA and GHB.
Jennifer Thomsen, 57, of Whitby also faces multiple trafficking and possession-for-trafficking allegations, as well as an allegation of possessing proceeds of crime under $5,000.
Police said Grant and Thomsen were held for bail hearings, while Oswald was released on an undertaking.
More than 560 grams of cocaine seized in Ajax
A separate Durham drug trafficking investigation concluded Tuesday, Aug. 25, when Drug Enforcement Unit investigators executed a search warrant at an Ajax residence.
Police said several people were inside the residence when officers carried out the warrant.
Investigators allege they found more than 560 grams of cocaine, oxycodone, drug paraphernalia and Canadian currency.
Police also reported finding a loaded prohibited firearm magazine. The DRPS release does not state that a firearm itself was seized during the search.
A’Yaan Sheikh, 20, of Ajax has been charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, possession of oxycodone for the purpose of trafficking and possession of a prohibited device.
Police said Sheikh was held for a bail hearing.
Investigations remain before courts
Durham police have not indicated that the Bowmanville and Ajax investigations are connected.
The first case involved an investigation described by DRPS as originating in Oshawa before investigators searched the Bowmanville residence. The Ajax warrant was part of a separate Drug Enforcement Unit investigation completed four days later.
Anyone with information relevant to either Durham drug trafficking investigation is asked to contact the DRPS Drug Enforcement Unit at 1-888-579-1520, extension 5800. Anonymous information can also be provided through Durham Regional Crime Stoppers.
All charges described by police are allegations. None of the allegations against the four accused have been proven in court.
