On July 8, 2026, detectives with the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service’s Crime Suppression Unit and Drug Enforcement Unit, with assistance from the Emergency Services Unit, Investigation Services, and Patrol Services, as well as the Ontario Provincial Police’s Community Street Crime Unit, Provincial Operations Intelligence Bureau, Provincial Asset Forfeiture Unit, and Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau executed four search warrants at various locations in the city of Sault Ste Marie and district of Algoma.
The search warrants were executed in the 0-100 block of Lake Street in Echo Bay, the 9000 block of Highway 17 in Bruce Mines, and the 600 block of MacDonald Avenue and 900 block of Second Line West in Sault Ste. Marie following a joint investigation regarding the trafficking of controlled substances and money laundering.
During the searches, officers located and seized 288 grams of suspected cocaine, several rounds of ammunition, brass knuckles, two vehicles, and $44,805 in Canadian currency. The estimated street value of drugs seized is approximately $28,800.
As a result of the search warrants, three individuals were arrested and charged.
30-year-old Jesse Hamilton of Echo Bay, Ontario, is charged with:
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime – Over $5,000 x2
- Possession of Weapon for Dangerous Purpose x2
- Laundering Proceeds of Crime
- Fail to Comply with Release Order x2
28-year-old Jacob Gartshore of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, is charged with:
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime – Over $5,000
- Laundering Proceeds of Crime
25-year-old Andrew Ouelette of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, is charged with:
- Possession of Schedule I Substance for Purpose of Trafficking (Cocaine)
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime – Over $5,000
- Possession of Prohibited Ammunition
All three accused were held in custody pending bail hearings.
Sault Ste. Marie Police Service’s Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) and Crime Suppression Unit (CSU)
Members of the Drug Enforcement Unit and Crime Suppression Unit work cooperatively to investigate all aspects of investigations involving drug matters, organized crime, human trafficking, high risk offenders and street crime within the jurisdiction of the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service. The Units also work on special projects targeting drug matters and street level crimes and take part in joint enforcement projects with other agencies across the province. Some of the assigned officers also have mandated responsibilities provincially to assist with investigations throughout the province involving Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs (BEU), asset forfeiture (PAFU) and intelligence (CISO).
