Four charged in cocaine bust in Ottawa area

On January 21, 2011, the Ottawa Police Drug Unit, assisted by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), stopped a vehicle on Highway 417 near Boundary Road. Two persons were arrested after a quantity of cocaine and marihuana was located in the vehicle. Officers then prepared for the execution of search warrants at three locations within the City of Ottawa.

In August 2010, members of the Ottawa Police Service Drug Unit identified an Organized Group involved in the distribution of large amounts of cocaine and cannabis marihuana within the City of Ottawa. Over the next several months, the activities of the group were monitored as officers of the Drug Unit gathered grounds. In the afternoon hours of Friday, January 21, 2011, officers began arresting the members of the group. The arrests completed in the early morning hours of Saturday, January 22, 2011.

Project Upsilon, an investigation conducted by the Ottawa Police Service Drug Unit and the Ottawa Police Special Operations Section, identified persons responsible for the distribution of cocaine and marihuana to the streets of the National Capital Region.

Officers of the Tactical and Drug Units entered residences on Benjamin Avenue, Churchill Avenue and a business premise on York Street in the Market, with search warrants in hand. A substantial quantity of cocaine, cannabis marihuana, OxyContin, currency and motor vehicles were seized. Four persons are facing charges under The Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and Possession of Proceeds of Crime.

Persons Arrested

Larry Labelle (male) 34 years of age from Cornwall, Ontario
Meagan Malone (female) 25 years of age from Cornwall, Ontario
Yianni Papadolias (male) 36 years of age from Ottawa, Ontario
Merith White (male) 37 years of age from Ottawa, Ontario