Five arrested, may face life in prison after Ontario fentanyl ring bust

Police on Wednesday arrested five people at a residential address on Machar Avenue. The search warrant was executed at 3:40 pm.

The five people, Roger Armstrong, Melissa McMillan, Nicholas Anastasakis, Mohamed Dhoore, and Zakkarria Wardere, are each charged with possession of fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking and possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000. Armstrong and McMillan are Thunder Bay residents while the latter three men are from Toronto.

If convicted, the individuals could potentially face a life sentence for fentanyl trafficking, which carries a minimum sentence of one year in prison.

Fentanyl has become an increasing problem for police and health officials in Ontario. Opioid overdoses have increased by over one third between 2018 and 2019 in the province, with fentanyl being one of the largest culprits. Fentanyl made up 35 percent of all drug seizures by the Ontario Provincial Police last year.

The five made an appearance before a judge on Thursday, where they were denied bail.