Listowel, Wingham residents facing drug charges following series of raids

Twenty-six people charged, 111 charges laid across midwestern Ontario

MIDWESTERN ONTARIO – Twenty-six individuals, including five from Listowel and four from Wingham, are facing numerous criminal and drug-related charges following the execution of nine search warrants across the region on Wednesday.

According to a media release from the OPP, the investigation – dubbed Project Carlina – began in May and was a joint effort between the OPP Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau and Community Street Crime Units of Grey-Bruce and Huron-Perth.

On Sept. 21, the raids were conducted by various OPP units.

Police says approximately 160 grams of suspected methamphetamine, 50 grams of suspected fentanyl, 60 grams of suspected cocaine, six grams of suspected carfentanyl, and more than 80 morphine and 140 hydromorphone pills were seized. The estimated street value of the drugs seized is $25,600.

Also seized by police was a variety of stolen property valued at more than $36,000, and more than $6,000 in Canadian currency. Two firearms were also seized.

A total of 111 charges were laid by police.

Listowel residents facing charges are:

  • Karl Brunner, 62;
  • Jeff Darroch, 43;
  • Bradley Martin, 41;
  • Jeremy Rushton, 37; and
  • Terrance Rushton, 66.

Brunner and Darroch have been charged with one count of possession of methamphetamine.  Both have been released on undertaking and are scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 24.

Martin has been charged with possession of oxycodone, possession of methamphetamine and failure to comply with undertaking. He has since been released on undertaking, and is scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 24.

Jeremy Rushton has been charged with breach conditional sentence order. Terrance Rushton is facing 11 charges, including five counts of trafficking methamphetamine, five counts of possession of property obtained by crime, and breach conditional sentence order. Both remain in custody pending the result of a bail hearing scheduled for Sept. 21.

Wingham residents facing charges include:

  • William Gilroy, 47;
  • Alisha Netterfield, 34;
  • Evan Scammell, 37; and
  • Ryan Smyth, 32.

Gilroy and Scammell both face two charges – alter/destroy/remove vehicle identification number, and possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000. Both have been released on undertaking, and are scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 24.

Netterfield is facing five charges – alter/destroy/remove vehicle identification number; possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000; possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000; trafficking methamphetamine; and possession of methamphetamine. Netterfield has also been released and is scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 24.

Smyth is facing four charges, including trafficking methamphetamine, possession of property obtained by crime (one count over $5,000, one count under $5,000) and alter/destroy/remove vehicle identification number. Smyth has also been released and is scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 24.

A Huron-Kinloss resident, 54-year-old Donald McFarlan, is facing 11 charges. McFarlan has been charged with three counts of trafficking cocaine, possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking, five counts of possession of property obtained by crime, failure to comply with a release document, and unauthorized possession of a firearm. McFarlan remained in custody pending the result of a bail hearing on Sept. 21.

The other accused are residents of Owen Sound, Goderich, Georgian Bluffs, Blue Mountains, Meaford and Mitchell.