NEWS RELEASE
NIAGARA REGIONAL POLICE SERVICE
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In April of 2024, the 3 District (Welland/Fonthill) Street Crime Unit with the Niagara Regional Police Service began an investigation into the trafficking of illegal drugs from a residence in the area of Hennipen Avenue and Southworth Street in the City of Welland.
As a result of the investigation, detectives were able to identify multiple suspects responsible.
On Nov. 5, 2024 a search warrant was executed in the area of Hennipen Avenue and Southworth Street in the City of Welland.
As a result of the search, police seized:
- 82.9 grams of suspected fentanyl. An estimated street value of $16,580.
- A stun Gun
Patsy Nelson (38 years old) of Toronto, was arrested and charged with the following offences:
- possession schedule I substance FTP trafficking – fentanyl
- unauthorized possession of a prohibited weapon
Jody Thibeault (46 years old) of Welland was arrested and charged with the following offences:
- possession schedule I substance FTP trafficking – fentanyl
- unauthorized possession of a prohibited weapon
- fail to comply with probation
William Ostermaier (39 years old) of Niagara Falls, was arrested and charged with the following offences:
- possession schedule I substance FTP trafficking – fentanyl
- unauthorized possession of a prohibited weapon
- fail to comply with probation
Shawn Marsh (33 years old) of Welland, was arrested and charged with the following offences:
- possession schedule I substance FTP trafficking – fentanyl
- unauthorized possession of a prohibited weapon
- fail to comply with release order
Joshua Hill (42 years old) of Welland, was arrested and charged with the following offences:
- possession schedule I substance FTP trafficking – fentanyl
- unauthorized possession of a prohibited weapon
Patricia Latham (41 years old) of Welland, was arrested and charged with the following offences:
- possession schedule I substance FTP trafficking – fentanyl
- unauthorized possession of a prohibited weapon
Marsh, Thibeault, Nelson, and Ostermaier, were all held in custody pending a bail hearing that is expected to take place on Nov. 7, 2024 at the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse located at 59 Church Street in the City of St. Catharines.
HILL and LATHAM were released on a Form 10-Undertaking with a future court date.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the investigating officers by calling 905-688-4111, option 3, extension 1009635.
Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to persons who contact the program with information which leads to an arrest.
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