10 Ottawa residents charged in nine-month provincial police drug investigation

EDITOR’S NOTE: CityNews was made aware that in July 2023, all charges against one of the accused were withdrawn. This article has been updated with that change.

Residents of both Ontario and Quebec are facing drug charges in connection with a months-long investigation by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).

The OPP Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau (OCEB), Provincial Asset Forfeiture Unit (PAFU) and Biker Enforcement Unit (BEU), with assistance from the Sûreté du Québec (SQ) conducted a nine-month investigation called ‘Project New Haven,’ targeting high-level drug suppliers. The high-level targets included Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs and Ottawa and Quebec-based known criminal organizations. 

“Project New Haven has been an intelligence-driven investigation into several drug trafficking networks that have compromised public safety in our communities,” said OPP Chief Superintendent Paul Mackey. “Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau Investigators had a strategic priority to pursue the high-level targets in an effort to cut off supply to mid-level drug dealers and street gangs.” 

On Thursday, October 15, officers executed 12 search warrants in Ottawa as well as Gatineau and Luskville, Quebec 

The investigation led to the seizure of 25.5 lbs of cocaine, 211 lbs of illegal cannabis and commercial packaging materials, approximately 40,000 methamphetamine pills, $227,105 in Canadian currency, five vehicles, a cocaine press and large quantity of a cutting agent. Police also seized two long guns, three handguns, a replica firearm and a taser. 

A total of 16 people were charged with 138 offences, including 10 Ottawa residents. 15 of the 16 charged are below:

Jeff Payer, 45, of Rockland, faces nine charges:

• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime over $5,000 (x4)
• Traffic in Schedule 1 Substance (Cocaine) (x 4)
• Conspiracy to Commit

Remo Castelli, 46, of Ottawa, faces 17 charges:

• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime over $5,000 (x5)
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime under $5,000 
• Traffic in Schedule 1 Substance (Cocaine) (x7)
• Conspiracy to Commit  (x 3)
• Possession for the Purpose (Cocaine) 

Nicholas Battista, 26, of Ottawa, faces four charges:

• Traffic in Schedule 1 Substance (Cocaine) (x3)
• Conspiracy to Commit

Lee Marrazzo, 37, of Luskville, Quebec, faces two charges:

• Traffic in Schedule 1 Substance (Cocaine)
• Conspiracy to Commit 

Kim McDermid, 40, of Ottawa, faces 12 charges:

• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime over $5,000 (x 3)
• Traffic in Schedule 1 Substance (Cocaine) (x 2)
• Conspiracy to Commit
• Possession for the Purpose (Cocaine)  (x 3)
• Possession for the Purpose (Cannabis) 
• Possess Firearm (x 2)

Francois Charlebois, 33, of Gatineau, faces 22 charges:

• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime over $5,000 (x 7)
• Traffic in Schedule 1 Substance (Cocaine) (x 7)
• Traffic in Schedule 1 Substance (Meth)  (x 4)
• Breach of Probation 
• Operation While Prohibited under the Criminal Code
• Conspiracy to Commit
• Possession for the Purpose (Cocaine)

Nova Coates, 42, of Ottawa, faces four charges:

• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime over $5,000 (x 2)
• Traffic in Schedule 1 Substance (Cocaine) (x 2)

Tammi Laidlaw, 52, of Ottawa, faces four charges:

• Traffic in Schedule 1 Substance (Meth) (x 3)
• Conspiracy to Commit

Darryl Moxley, 56, of Ottawa, faces 18 charges: 

• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime over $5,000 (x 6)
• Traffic in Schedule 1 Substance (Cocaine) (x 6)
• Fail to Comply (x3)
• Conspiracy to Commit
• Possession Schedule 1 Substance (Cocaine) 
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime under $5,000

Cecil Fraser, 58, of Ottawa, faces 11 charges:

• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime over $5,000 (x 4)
• Traffic in Schedule 1 Substance (Cocaine) (x 5)
• Conspiracy to Commit
• Possession Prohibited Weapon

Mario Philion, 57, of Gatineau, faces 17 charges:

• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime over $5,000  (x4)
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime under $5,000 (x 4)
• Traffic in Schedule 1 Substance (Cocaine) (x 8)
• Possession for the Purpose (Cocaine) 

George Glemet, 64, of Luskville, Quebec, faces three charges:

• Traffic in Schedule 1 Substance (Cocaine)
• Possession for the Purpose (Cocaine)
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime over $5,000

Dennis Luong, 30, of Ottawa, faces five charges:

• Possession for the Purpose (Cocaine)
• Possession for the Purpose (Cannabis) (x 2)
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime over $5,000
• Possession Prohibited or Restricted Firearm/ammunition

Trent Tourangeau, 52, of Ottawa, faces two charges:

• Possession for the Purpose (Cocaine)
• Possession for the Purpose (Cannabis)

A Toronto woman faces four charges:

• Possession for the Purpose (Cocaine)
• Possession for the Purpose (Cannabis)
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime over $5,000
• Possession Prohibited or Restricted Firearm/ammunition