(THUNDER BAY, ON) – Police have seized a loaded firearm and quantities of drugs suspected to be fentanyl and cocaine after an investigation into drug trafficking in the Thunder Bay area.

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP)-led Provincial Joint Forces Guns and Gangs Enforcement Team (PGNG) began this investigation in August 2024 following an increase in drug trafficking activity in Thunder Bay. On October 1, 2024, officers made an arrest in the area of Cumberland Street, where they located a loaded handgun in the pocket of the accused. Police also seized approximately 85 grams of suspected fentanyl, 35 grams of suspected cocaine and $4,000 in Canadian currency.

Michael PERRUCCIO, age 33 of Mississauga, was remanded into custody and charged with the following offences contrary to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and the Criminal Code:



Possession for the purpose of trafficking – cocaine
Possession for the purpose of trafficking – fentanyl
Unauthorized possession of a restricted firearm
Careless storage of a firearm
Knowledge of unauthorized possession of a firearm
Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
Possession of a loaded restricted firearm
Possession of proceeds obtained by crime under $5,000
The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Thunder Bay on October 18, 2024.

The OPP would like to thank the Thunder Bay Police Service, Nishnawbe Aski Police Service and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police for their support of the PGNG program.

Anyone with any information about illegal firearms or the possession, manufacturing or trafficking of illicit drugs should contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or ontariocrimestoppers.ca.

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