(ELGIN COUNTY, ON) – On March 18, 2025 at approximately 5:00 a.m. the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), Elgin-Middlesex Community Street Crime Unit (CSCU) in collaboration with the St. Thomas Police Service Street Crime Unit assisted by the West Region Tactics and Rescue Unit (WR TRU), the West Region Canine Unit (WR K9), the Oxford-Brant CSCU, the Lambton CSCU, the Haldimand-Norfolk CSCU, the Essex CSCU and the West Region Emergency Response Team (WR ERT) executed search warrants at two residences in the City of London and one in the City of St. Thomas.
As a result of the executed search warrants, police seized quantities of suspected narcotics including cocaine, psilocybin, oxycodone, fentanyl, crack cocaine, and clonazepam with an estimated street value of over $100,000.00. Police also seized a quantity of property including scales, cellular phones, packaging (bags, elastics), magazines, ammunition, and over $45,000.00 Canadian Currency.
Four individuals were taken into custody.
The OPP has charged Kyle Catherwood, a 30-year-old from London with:
- Possession of a Schedule I substance for the Purpose of Trafficking (Cocaine)
- Possession of property obtained by crime over $5000 – in Canada
- Possession of Firearm or Ammunition Contrary to Prohibition Order
- Possession of Prohibited Device or Ammunition
- Possession of a Schedule I Substance – Opioid (other than heroin)
- Possession of a Schedule III Substance
The OPP also charged Mariah King, a 29-year-old from London with:
- Possession of a Schedule I substance for the Purpose of Trafficking (Cocaine)
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000 – in Canada
- Laundering Proceeds of Crime – did use – commission in Canada
- Possession of a Schedule I Substance – Opioid (other than heroin)
- Possession of a Schedule III Substance
- Possession of Prohibited Device or ammunition
Additionally, the OPP charged Cody Gregory, a 34-year-old of the City of St. Thomas with:
- Possession of a Schedule I Substance – Cocaine
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000 – in Canada
- Fail to Comply with Release Order – other than to attend court
- Distribute Intimate Image without Consent
All accused individuals were held for bail hearings and have since been remanded into custody. The fourth individual was released unconditionally.
The OPP would like to thank the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) for their assistance in this investigation.