OPP crack down on trafficking of cocaine and other illegal drugs

EDITOR’S NOTE: The name of one of the accused has been removed from this article after CityNews was made aware in January 2026 that the charges against them were dropped.

Five people are facing drug trafficking charges after police seized illegal drugs and vehicles in several communities along the St. Lawrence River.

The arrests were part of an investigation the OPP East Region Community Street Crime Unit (CSCU) began in the spring into the trafficking of cocaine to drug dealers in the region.

The CSCU executed search warrants at locations along Prince Street in Prescott, County Road 26 in Augusta Township, Cartier Court in Brockville and a campsite on the Long Sault Parkway in Long Sault on July 31. OPP say 11 people were initially remanded into custody but five were charged.

Investigators seized over 240 grams of suspected cocaine, more than a dozen hydromorphone pills and a quantity of ecstasy pills. OPP say other items typically associated with drug trafficking were also seized, as well as approximately $30,000 in cash. Officers also recovered a stolen 2022 dirt bike and two other vehicles. They seized a bullet proof vest, a 22-calibre rifle, a variety of ammunition and a set of brass knuckles.

Three people from Prescott were charges, as well as one person from Augusta Township and one person from Brockville.

Andrew Ubdegrove, a 28-year-old from Prescott, has been charged with the following:

• Two counts of Possession of a Schedule 1 substance for the purpose of trafficking;
• Possession of Schedule 1 substance; and
• Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime over $5000.

Andrew Ubdegrove has been remanded in custody with a bail hearing scheduled.

David Ubdegrove, a 31-year-old from Prescott, has been charged with the following:

• Breach of order prohibiting keeping of animals; and
• Two counts of Breach of a probation order.

David Ubdegrove has been remanded in custody with a bail hearing scheduled.

Garett Thomson, a 27-year-old from Augusta Township, has been charged with the following:

• Unauthorized possession of a firearm;
• Careless Storage of Firearm; and
• Possession of property obtained by crime under $5000.

Thomson was released from custody pending a court appearance.

William English, a 28-year-old from Brockville, has been charged with the following:

• Two counts of Possession of a Schedule 1 substance for the purpose of trafficking;
• Possession of prohibited device or ammunition for a dangerous purpose; and
• Possession of a firearm or ammunition contrary to prohibition order.

English has been remanded in custody with a bail hearing scheduled.

On August 1, two people were charged following an ongoing trafficking investigation in Pembroke.

OPP executed a search warrant at a residence on Victoria Street. They say 11 people were initially taken into custody without incident; all but two were released without charges.

During the investigation, officers seized quantities of suspected cocaine and suspected crack cocaine, as well as over $700 in cash and items typically associated with drug trafficking. They also seized other items including multiple replica firearms, a magazine for a semi-automatic rifle and a smoke grenade.

As a result of the investigation, 54-year-old Christopher Milarchuk has been charged with the following:

• Three counts of Possession of a Schedule 1 substance for the purpose of trafficking;
• Resisting a peace officer;
• Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose;
• Unauthorized possession of a firearm;
• Possession of a prohibited device or ammunition;
• Two counts of Careless storage of a firearm or ammunition;
• Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime under $5000; and
• Breach of recognizance.

Adam Wierciszewski, a 32-year-old from Pembroke, has been charged with the following:

• Assaulting a peace officer;
• Possession of a Schedule 2 substance; and
• Mischief under $5000.

Both accused were held in custody for a bail hearing.