Update – Cobourg Police – Drug Arrests Following Gunpoint Takedown

Pete Fisher
4 years ago
• Categories: Police Blotter

In March of 2021, as part of an ongoing enhanced enforcement strategy targeting illegal drug activity affecting
Northumberland County and the safety of our citizens, the Cobourg Police Service and the Port Hope Police
Service commenced a drug investigation.

On Thursday, March 25, 2021, members of the Cobourg Police Service Criminal Investigations Branch (CIB) and
Port Hope CIB, with the assistance of uniform officers, conducted a vehicle stop. Three adults were arrested
for drug trafficking. During the traffic stop, one officer drew a gun to safely effect the arrest of one suspect
outside of the vehicle.

A subsequent Controlled Drugs and Substances Act Search Warrant was then executed at a residence on
Cottesmore Avenue with the assistance of the Cobourg Forensic Identification Officer.

As a result of this investigation and search, police seized 1.4 grams of Fentanyl, 31 grams of
Methamphetamine (Crystal Meth), 4.2 grams of cocaine, 5 Oxycodone Pills, 5.1 grams of Psilocybin
(Mushrooms), Various Anabolic Steroids and $281 in cash. The estimated street value of the seized drugs is
$6,200.00. Also seized were several prohibited knives and a collapsible “police style” baton.

Benjamin STAPLES, 42 years old, of Cobourg, is charged with:

Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking – Fentanyl – contrary to section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs
and Substances Act

Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking – Methamphetamine – contrary to section 5(2) of the
Controlled Drugs and Substances Act

Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking – Cocaine – contrary to section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs
and Substances Act

Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking – Oxycodone – contrary to section 5(2) of the Controlled
Drugs and Substances Act

Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking – Anabolic Steroids – contrary to section 5(2) of the
Controlled Drugs and Substances Act

Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking – Psilocybin (Mushrooms)– contrary to section 5(2) of the
Controlled Drugs and Substances Act

Possession of a prohibited weapon -contrary to section 91(2) of the Criminal Code

Possession of a prohibited weapon -contrary to section 91(2) of the Criminal Code

Possession of Proceeds of Crime Under – contrary to section 354(1)(a) of the Criminal Code

Branden MILLER, 33 years old of Cobourg, is charged with:

Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking – Fentanyl – contrary to section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs
and Substances Act

Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking – Methamphetamine – contrary to section 5(2) of the
Controlled Drugs and Substances Act

Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking – Cocaine – contrary to section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs
and Substances Act

Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking – Oxycodone – contrary to section 5(2) of the Controlled
Drugs and Substances Act

Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking – Psilocybin (Mushrooms)– contrary to section 5(2) of the
Controlled Drugs and Substances Act

Tiffany PALFREY, 31 years old of Cobourg, is charged with:

Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking – Fentanyl – contrary to section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs
and Substances Act

Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking – Methamphetamine – contrary to section 5(2) of the
Controlled Drugs and Substances Act

Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking – Cocaine – contrary to section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs
and Substances Act

Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking – Oxycodone – contrary to section 5(2) of the Controlled
Drugs and Substances Act

Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking – Psilocybin (Mushrooms)– contrary to section 5(2) of the
Controlled Drugs and Substances Act

Possession of a prohibited weapon -contrary to section 91(2) of the Criminal Code

The accused were released from custody with future court dates in May of 2021.