Drugs seized near Bath Institution

A joint investigation between the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Penitentiary Squad and the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) resulted in a drug seizure near Bath Institution, just west of Kingston.

The seizure took place on Monday, Nov. 19, 2018, and investigators seized over 54 grams of cannabis resin, 170 grams of tobacco, and a variety of pills. The total seizure has an estimated institutional value of over $24, 000, according to a press release from the East Region Headquarters of the OPP.

As a result, five people are facing charges.

Scott McLaughlan, 50, of Loyalist Township was charged with: five counts of conspiracy to commit an indictable offence.

Joshua Erdodi, 31, of Windsor, Ont. was charged with: possessing, producing, selling, distributing or importing anything with the intention to use it to produce, sell, or distribute illicit cannabis; three counts of possession of a Schedule 1 substance (other than heroin) for the purpose of trafficking; possession of a Schedule 1 opioid for the purpose of trafficking; conspiracy to commit an indictable offence; and failure to comply with a recognizance order.

Melissa Ann Iler, 37, Barbara Anne Montgomery, 38, and Ryan Duroucher, 40, all of Essex, Ont. were each charged with: Possessing, producing, selling, distributing or importing anything with the intention to use it to produce, sell, or distribute illicit cannabis; and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence.

McLaughlin and Erdodi remain in custody, and the three other accused persons were released on a promise to appear, and are scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Napanee on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019.

The investigation is ongoing with additional charges pending.