Four charged after police target alleged crack cocaine manufacturers in St. Catharines

TORONTO — Four people have been charged after police conducted three drug raids targeting an alleged crack cocaine selling and manufacturing operation in St. Catharines, Ont., which investigators said was of “ongoing concern” to neighbourhood residents.

The Niagara Regional Police Service’s St. Catharines Street Crime Unit monitored the movements of suspected drug dealers in the Queenston Street and Niagara Street area during the month of February, focusing on three locations police said were believed to be responsible for supplying drug users in the area.

On Feb. 23, police executed a search warrant at one of the residences in the area and seized an unspecified quantity of crack cocaine, prescription medication and money.

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Two more raids were then conducted on a nearby rooming house on Monday and police seized an undisclosed amount of crack cocaine, crystal methamphetamine, marijuana and cash.

Three people were charged at the first location and they have been identified by police as follows:

1. Maurice Hussin, 39, of St. Catharines, has been charged with trafficking a controlled substance, two counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking, possession of the proceeds of crime under $5,000 and breach of probation.
2. Lillian Sanford, 32, of St. Catharines has been charged with trafficking a controlled substance, two counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking and breach of probation.
3. Derick Burgess, 35, of Grimsby, Ont., has been charged with posession of controlled substance.

At the second location police arrested two individuals but only one of them was charged.

Brandon Boyle, 32, of St.Catharines, has been charged with two counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking, possession of a controlled substance, possession of the proceeds of crime under $5,000 and breach of probation.

Police said they were “genuinely appreciative for the support” from St.Catharines’ residents for their help in the investigation and encouraged anyone else with information to contact police to curtail any future problems in their community.