On Monday, May 29, 2023, the Brantford Police Service concluded a drug investigation funded by the Government of Ontario, Criminal Intelligence Service Ontario. The Brantford Police Service Criminal Intelligence Unit, Tactical Intelligence Generated Enforcement and Response Unit, and the High Enforcement Action Team completed the investigation, named Project REACT.
The Ontario Government funded the three-month drug investigation, which commenced in March of 2023, involving a suspected drug dealer engaged in trafficking cocaine and other illicit substances within the City of Brantford and surrounding jurisdictions.
On May 29, 2023, the Brantford Police Service arrested the subject of the investigation, near the intersection of St. George Street and Tollgate Road, Brantford. Following the arrest, the accused was found to be in possession of the following:
- Approximately 2039 grams of suspected cocaine, with an estimated street value of $203,960.
The Brantford Police Service executed a total of four Controlled Drugs and Substances Act Search Warrants at the following locations: Scenic Ridge Gate, Paris; a property in Bancroft; a Park Road North, Brantford business and a vehicle, in relation to the investigation.
Upon executing a search warrant of the residence locates at Scenic Ridge Gate, Paris, Brantford police located and seized the following items:
- Approximately 722 grams of suspected cocaine, with an estimated street value of $72,270
- Approximately 496 grams of suspected fentanyl, with an estimated street value of $99,300
- Approximately 938 grams of suspected methamphetamine, with a maximum street value of $122,044
- 694 suspected hydromorphone pills, with an estimated street value of $6940
- 240 suspected oxycodone pills, with an estimated street value of $1200
Upon executing a search warrant of the vehicle, Brantford police located and seized the following items:
- 73 suspected hydromorphone pills, with an estimated street value of $730
- 38 suspected oxycodone pills, with an estimated street value of $190
- 37.4 grams of suspected methamphetamine, with an estimated street value of $4862
As a result of Project REACT, an estimated total street value of $ 511,496 of illicit drugs, and one motor vehicle were seized. One male from Paris has been charged with the following offences.
Michael SAYLES, 27, of Paris, stands charged with the following:
- Possession for the purpose of trafficking, contrary to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (cocaine)
- Possession for the purpose of trafficking, contrary to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (fentanyl)
- Possession for the purpose of trafficking, contrary to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (methamphetamine)
- Possession for the purpose of trafficking, contrary to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (hydromorphone)
- Possession for the purpose of trafficking, contrary to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (oxycodone)
Project REACT is another successful project helping to minimize the threat to our communities caused by the distribution of controlled substances, and criminal activity related to trafficking. By disrupting the operation of criminal networks, our goal is to assist our communities by reducing the violence surrounding the trade of illicit substances.
In support of the search warrants and arrests related to Project REACT, the Brantford Police Service would like to recognize the Criminal Intelligence Service of Ontario, for their continued funding and dedication in keeping communities safe in Ontario.