CRIME: 1)Suspected cocaine seized during Project Bay cross-border drug trafficking investigation; 2)Canada-wide warrant issued for wanted offender with Midland connections; 3)OPP lay another arson charge in Wasaga Beach house fire; 4)Barrie Police say they don’t have the authority to arrest people solely for being high on drugs; 5)Barrie woman charged after allegedly flooding 911 and non-emergency lines with repeat calls; 6) Two motorists charged with impaired driving at the same time in Muskoka; 7)Two teens near Collingwood learn hard lesson that rules of the road apply to e-dirtbikes; 8)OPP bust in Alliston leads to drug charges, seizure of fentanyl, cocaine and stolen ID; 9)Two Barrie suspects among 63 people charged in provincewide online child exploitation investigation
1)Suspected cocaine seized during Project Bay cross-border drug trafficking investigation
Courtesy Barrie360.com
By Ian MacLennan, July 23, 2026
Nearly $140 million worth of illegal drugs has been seized and 21 people, including a Barrie man, are facing charges in one of the most significant drug seizures in Ontario’s history.
The investigation, dubbed Project Bay, began in Windsor in January 2025 and expanded into a joint operation involving the Ontario Provincial Police, Windsor Police, Canada Border Services Agency, police services from Toronto, Peel, and U.S. law enforcement agencies.
Suspected methamphetamine seized during Project Bay investigation (Image supplied – Ontario Provincial Police)
Police say the investigation uncovered a cross-border drug trafficking network that used the commercial trucking industry to move illegal drugs through legitimate supply chains.
Search warrants were executed in June and this month in southwestern Ontario and the Greater Toronto Area.
Investigators say they seized 973 kilograms of suspected cocaine, 660 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine, 49 kilograms of opium, 230 oxycodone tablets, 17 firearms – including an anti-tank rifle – ammunition, prohibited weapons, more than $90,000 in Canadian and U.S. cash, high-end jewelry, money counters, 43 cell phones and six laptops.
Police say 19 of the suspects have been arrested, and two are wanted.
A total of 102 charges have been laid.
2)Canada-wide warrant issued for wanted offender with Midland connections
Courtesy Barrie360.com and News Release
By Ontario Provincial Police – R.O.P.E. Squad, JULY 2026
The Repeat Offender Parole Enforcement (R.O.P.E.) Squad is seeking the public’s help in locating Evan Haney, who is wanted on a Canada-wide warrant for allegedly breaching his statutory release. (Photo: OPP/R.O.P.E. Squad)
The Repeat Offender Parole Enforcement (R.O.P.E.) Squad is requesting the public’s assistance in locating a federal offender wanted on a Canada Wide Warrant as a result of a breach of their Statutory Release.
Evan HANEY is described as an Indigenous male, 29 years old, 5′ 10″ (178 CM), 190 lbs. (86 KGS) with a fair complexion, brown hair and hazel eyes. He’s known to wear brown rimmed glasses. He has numerous tattoos:
Evan HANEY is currently serving a 2-year and 3-month sentence for:
3)OPP lay another arson charge in Wasaga Beach house fire
Courtesy Barrie360.com
By Ian MacLennan, July 20, 2026
Ontario Provincial Police have laid a second arson charge in connection with a residential fire in Wasaga Beach.
Police say emergency crews were called to a fire at a residence on Mosley Street near 21st Street North around 3:30 Sunday morning on March 22.
After further investigation, police say a 38-year-old man from Markham was arrested July 9 and charged with arson.
He has a date in Collingwood court August 25.
Last month, police charged a 50-year-old man, also from Markham, with arson in relation to the fire.
The investigation remains ongoing.
4)Barrie Police say they don’t have the authority to arrest people solely for being high on drugs
Courtesy Barrie360.com
By Ian MacLennan, July 20, 2026
Barrie Police are responding to questions from the public about why people who appear to be intoxicated by drugs are not simply being arrested and removed from downtown streets.
Acting Police Sergeant Matte of the Community Safety and Wellbeing Unit says the answer comes down to the difference between alcohol and drug-related laws.
The officer says the Liquor Licence Control Act gives police authority when someone is intoxicated by alcohol in certain circumstances, but the Controlled Drug and Substances Act does not include a similar provision for being intoxicated by a drug.
“We don’t have, police don’t have the powers or authorities to remove somebody or arrest someone in that state,” Matte explained.
Instead, police say their first priority is checking on the person’s well-being.
Matte says police will contact paramedics, who will assess the individual and determine whether medical treatment or transportation to hospital is needed.
“If after that assessment paramedics feel it’s necessary for the person to attend a hospital, that will occur,” the acting sergeant said.
However, police say people also have the right to refuse medical care.
The officer noted that if someone declines medical treatment or services, paramedics cannot transport them to the hospital.
Police say they will continue responding to calls involving people in crisis, while reminding the public that officers must operate within the authorities provided under provincial and federal law.
5)Barrie woman charged after allegedly flooding 911 and non-emergency lines with repeat calls
Courtesy Barrie360.com
By Ian MacLennan, July 21, 2026
A woman is facing a public mischief charge after Barrie Police alleged she repeatedly called both 911 and the non-emergency line about the same incident.Police say officers first responded to the 38-year-old’s initial call around 3:40 Saturday afternoon and advised her the matter would be investigated.
“Over a roughly six-hour period starting around 9:30 p.m., the accused contacted Barrie Police via 911 seven times and the non-emergency number 24 times regarding the same matter. During the repeated calls, she became verbally abusive with Communications staff,” police said in a news release.
Police remind the public to call 911 only for emergencies. For non-emergency police assistance, call 705-725-7025, and if you’ve already reported an incident, allow officers time to investigate.
6) Two motorists charged with impaired driving at the same time in Muskoka
Courtesy Barrie360.com
By Ian MacLennan,
A double-double for Bracebridge OPP as they charged two motorists at the same time with impaired driving.
On Sunday at around 1:40 a.m., police say officers responded to a report from the public about the condition of two drivers travelling on Muskoka Road 169 in Muskoka Lakes Township.
Both vehicles were located near Moon River Road and pulled over.
Two 26-year-old men, one from Gravenhurst and the other from Oakville, were charged with impaired driving over 80.
They have court dates in September.
7)Two teens near Collingwood learn hard lesson that rules of the road apply to e-dirtbikes
Courtesy Barrie360.com
By Ian MacLennan, July 21, 2026
Two young riders learned a hard lesson about the rules of the road.
Ontario Provincial Police say that on Saturday, officers pulled over two off-road electric dirtbikes being operated without licence plates while being driven on Grey Road 19 and Sixth Street area, just west of Collingwood.
Both 15-year-olds were charged with failing to have a driver’s licence, failing to having a licence plate, failing to have a permit, and failing to have insurance.
Police say the owners of the electric motorcycles may face charges related to permitting the operation of a motor vehicle by an unlicensed person, failing to have a permit and licence plate, and failing to maintain insurance.
“If convicted of any of the above charges, the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) will generate a driver’s licence number for the youth operators. Any resulting convictions could become part of their future driving record and will be associated with a driver’s licence obtained later in life,” police said in a news release.
The OPP is reminding the public that electric-powered motorcycles and dirt bikes are treated the same as their gas-powered counterparts under Ontario law. They are considered motor vehicles and must comply with the requirements of the Highway Traffic Act, Off-Road Vehicles Act, and Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act, including licensing, registration, permit, and insurance requirements, where applicable.
8)OPP bust in Alliston leads to drug charges, seizure of fentanyl, cocaine and stolen ID
Courtesy Barrie360.com
By Ian MacLennan, July 21, 2026
A drug investigation launched by Nottawasaga OPP in the spring has resulted in the arrest of four people and the seizure of suspected drugs, stolen mail and fake identification.
Police say on July 10, officers stopped a vehicle in Alliston that had been rented using a fraudulent driver’s licence.
Three people were arrested during the traffic stop, and police say one of them was found with a prohibited weapon — a switchblade knife.
A fourth person connected to the investigation was later arrested and charged.
Police say they seized 21 grams of cocaine. 2.8 grams of fentanyl, 1.5 grams of methamphetamine, and hydromorphone pills.
Officers also recovered drug trafficking equipment, stolen mail, multiple fraudulent identification cards, and stolen or fraudulent credit cards.
The suspects from Toronto and New Tecumseth face drug and fraud-related charges, and one of them was also charged with possession of a firearm obtained by crime.
Several of the suspects were also charged with violations, including probation and breach of undertaking.
All but one of the accused was released from custody with a future court date.
9)Two Barrie suspects among 63 people charged in provincewide online child exploitation investigation
Courtesy Barrie360.com
By Ian MacLennan, July 23, 2026
Two men from Barrie are among 63 individuals charged in a child exploitation investigation by the Ontario Provincial Police, Barrie Police and 24 other police services.
Police say Project Time was a coordinated provincial effort to identify and apprehend those who prey on children.
51 victims were identified during the investigation, which is ongoing.
Police say they targeted individuals making, possessing, and distributing child sexual abuse material
In total, 213 charges were laid, 814 electronic devices were seized, two of the accused were in a position of trust and authority in their communities, and eight of the accused were repeat offenders.
Members of the Provincial Internet Child Exploitation Strategy recognize that law enforcement cannot combat these crimes alone. They say parents, educators, child advocacy organizations, government, and technology providers are essential in keeping children safe.