NEWS RELEASE
NIAGARA REGIONAL POLICE
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In late 2024 through early 2025, Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) street crime detectives assigned to 2 District (Niagara Falls/Niagara-on-the-Lake) commenced an investigation into the distribution of illegal drugs throughout the Region of Niagara.
During the investigation, detectives discovered that a male residing in Hamilton was travelling to Niagara to [allegedly] distribute illegal drugs.
On Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025, detectives with the 2 District Street Crime Unit, with assistance from the NRPS Emergency Task Unit (ETU) and K9 Unit arrested two males after observing several suspected drug deals throughout the Niagara Region.
On Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025, detectives received judicial authorization to execute a Controlled Drugs and Substances Act search warrant on an apartment in Hamilton.
As a result of the investigation police seized the following:
- 977.9 grams of suspected Fentanyl and carfentanil (value $110,000)
- 193.3 of suspected cocaine and crack cocaine (value $19,000)
- 36.8 grams of crystal methamphetamine (value $1,000)
- 166 pills of suspected MDMA (value $1660)
- 285 tablets of Percocet (Value $1,425)
- $10,639 in Canadian currency
Patrick Benson (36 years) of Hamilton has been arrested and charged with the following criminal offences:
- Possession of crystal methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking
- Possession of ecstasy for the purpose of trafficking
- Possession of fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking (two counts)
- Possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking (two counts)
- Possession of a schedule I substance (Percocet) for the purpose of trafficking
- Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime over $5,000
- Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime under $5,000
- Possession of ammunition contrary to a prohibition order
Caolan Faulkner (48 years) of Stoney Creek has been arrested and charged with the following criminal offences:
- Possession of fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking
- Possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking
- Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime under $5,000
Faulkner was released on a Form 10 Undertaking with a future court date. Benson was held in custody and is scheduled to attend the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse, located at 59 Church Street in the City of St. Catharines on Friday, Feb. 21, 2025.
Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to contact detectives at 905-688-4111, dial option 3, ext. 1009667.
Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously are encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to persons who contact the program with information that leads to an arrest.
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