City police take down large-scale marihuana operation Update

As a result of further investigation following the execution of the search warrant on February 2, 2012 and the associated arrests, additional charges have been sworn to as of this week. These charges are in addition to those already forwarded to the media.

William “Billy” Nopper:

Conspiracy to Launder Proceeds of Crime
Commission of an Offence for a Criminal Organization

Christopher Upton:

Conspiracy to Launder Proceeds of Crime
Commission of an Offence for a Criminal Organization

Adam Dwinnel:

Conspiracy to Traffic Marihuana
Conspiracy to Launder Proceeds of Crime
Commission of an Offence for a Criminal Organization
Possession of MDMA for the Purpose of Trafficking
Possession of Oxycodone for the Purpose of Trafficking
Possession of Morphine for the Purpose of Trafficking
Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000

Carlyle Goulais

Commission of an Offence for a Criminal Organization
Trafficking Marihuana
Possession of MDMA for the Purpose of Trafficking
Possession of Oxycodone for the Purpose of Trafficking
Possession of Morphine for the Purpose of Trafficking
Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000

Grant Stevens

Possession of MDMA for the Purpose of Trafficking
Possession of Oxycodone for the Purpose of Trafficking
Possession of Morphine for the Purpose of Trafficking
Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000


Ashley Gaudette

Possession of MDMA for the Purpose of Trafficking
Possession of Oxycodone for the Purpose of Trafficking
Possession of Morphine for the Purpose of Trafficking
Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000

Christopher Wardle

Trafficking Marihuana
Conspiracy to Traffic Marihuana
Commission of an Offence for a Criminal Organization


Male Young Offender

Conspiracy to Launder Proceeds of Crime
Commission of an Offence for a Criminal Organization

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Five people were arrested and a huge stash of drugs was seized after North Bay City Police executed a Controlled Drugs and Substances CDSA search warrant at a Tackaberry Drive residence Thursday night.

City police say the arrests stem from a lengthy investigation, titled Project Green Tide which was looking into the large-scale distribution of marihuana in the city.

Seized in the operation were 37 pounds of marihuana packaged for distribution with a street value of approximately $336,000, $30,000 in cash and a quantity of ecstasy and oxycontin pills.

They also seized drug trafficking equipment and five motor vehicles valued at $35,000.

Det. Barry Ramsay detailed what he could of the investigation during a news conference Friday afternoon.

He said the project involved half a dozen officers and commenced last fall.



Charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking are:

Christopher Upton, 26, of Aberdeen Avenue,
Adam Dwinnell, 26, of Tackaberry Drive,
Ashley Gaudette, 23, of Tackaberry,
Carlyle Goulais, 33, of Couchie Memorial Drive
Grant Stevens, 27, of Ted Commanda Drive, Sturgeon Falls
.Upton was also charged with conspiracy to commit an indictable offence.
Greater Sudbury Police arrested a 17-year-old later Friday and charged him with similar offences related to this investigation.

Police also issued an arrest warrant for Trafficking in a Controlled Substance and Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence for former North Bay resident William ‘Billy’ Michael Nopper, who now resides in Ottawa.