Police surveillance of an apartment building on Regent Street on Saturday netted a small haul of Fentanyl power and six arrests.
Three arrests were in connection with the illegal drugs, while the others were of people discovered at the scene already wanted on outstanding warrants.
Police had received tips from informants that illegal drug activity was going on at the Regent Street address, information confirmed by “community members and city officials,” a news release said Monday.
“Officers observed a man enter the building and quickly exit after a brief visit inside,” the release said.
“The man was then seen in close proximity to the building in medical distress. Officers conducting surveillance noted the signs of a possible overdose as the man collapsed to the ground. The officers called Greater Sudbury paramedics while providing first aid to the man who was lucid during the interaction.”
The man was brought to hospital for treatment and was later released, police said. A member of the public also called paramedics and “we would like to extend our thanks to the general public for assisting during this matter,” the release said.
The police's Drug Enforcement Unit, Break Enter and Robbery Unit and the Tactical Unit executed three search warrants at multiple apartments at the Regent Street address, in the process seizing two grams of Fentanyl powder, 10.75 grams of cocaine and 1.5 methamphetamine pills. Total estimated value of drugs seized is $2,275, police said, plus $400 cash that was found.
Michael Repuska, Penelope Muncaster, and a 55-year old woman whose name can't be released yet because information has not yet been sworn to through the courts are charged with a total of 14 offences under the Controlled Drugs & Substances Act and the Criminal Code of Canada.
A check on three additional individuals in the apartments -- Mark Therrien, 47, Roy Larabee, 37, and Lee Wilde, 34, revealed they had outstanding warrants for criminal offences. They were arrested and held pending bail court hearings.
“Although the amount of drugs seized was not significant, police felt the need to execute these search warrants to thwart the notable amount of drug trafficking observed at this building in a very short period of time, coupled with the overdose witnessed by officers and the threat to the safety of our community,” the release said.
