During the spring and summer months of 2025, the Port Hope Police Service and Cobourg Police Service Criminal Investigations Branch initiated a joint investigation into the trafficking of Schedule I substances within the communities of Cobourg and Port Hope.
On July 3, 2025, officers from the Port Hope and Cobourg Police Investigation Branches, with support from their respective Primary Response Units and the Belleville Police Service K9 Unit, executed a Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) search warrant at a residence in the east end of Cobourg.
As a result of the search, seven individuals were taken into custody, and investigators seized a substantial quantity of illicit substances and offence-related property:
- 100 grams of Oxycodone (pills)
- 92.4 grams of Cocaine
- 8 grams of Crack Cocaine
- 119.5 grams of Fentanyl (pills)
- 1.3 grams of Fentanyl (powder)
- 16 Clonazepam tablets
- Offence-related property
The approximate street value of the drugs seized is $40,000.
As a result of this investigation, a total of 38 charges were laid against the following individuals, all residents of Northumberland Area:
- Karen WELLS
- Patricia WELLS
- Jason IVANY
- Jessica ROUSE
- Christopher JIBB
- Mandy CASTEELS
- Roxanne FIRLOTTE
Each of the accused was charged with the following offences under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act :
- Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – Oxycodone (s.5(2))
- Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – Cocaine (s.5(2))
- Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – Crack Cocaine (s.5(2))
- Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – Fentanyl (s.5(2))
- Possession of a Schedule IV substance for the purpose of trafficking – Clonazepam (s.5(2))
In addition, Jessica ROUSE, Christopher JIBB, and Patricia WELLS were charged with:
- Possession of fine cut tobacco contrary to section 29(2) of the Tobacco Tax Act .
All accused were held in custody pending a bail hearing.
This investigation highlights the ongoing commitment of local police services to target and disrupt drug trafficking operations that threaten community safety.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
