On February 25, 2026, detectives with the Crime Suppression Unit and Drug Enforcement Unit, with assistance from the Ontario Provincial Police, charged 30-year-old Jesse Hamilton with possession of schedule I substances for the purpose of trafficking as well as several firearm and weapon offences.
In January of 2026, detectives began a drug trafficking investigation into the accused. Around 2:45 p.m. on February 25, 2026, detectives conducted a traffic stop of the accused’s vehicle. They were arrested and the vehicle was seized as offence-related property. Detectives then executed search warrants at a multi-unit residence building in the 1100 block of Queen Street East and on the seized vehicle.
As a result of the search warrants, detectives located:
- 2,391.98 grams of suspected cocaine
- 165 suspected Oxycodone pills
- 1,859 mL of suspected codeine
- $53,045 in Canadian currency
- $40 in American currency
- A loaded semi-automatic handgun
- 55 rounds of ammunition
- A conductive energy weapon
- Four brass knuckles
- Two digital weigh scales
- Packaging materials
- A cellular device
The total estimated street value of drugs seized is approximately $363,591.
The accused is charged with:
- Careless Storage of Firearm, Weapon, Prohibited Device, or Ammunition x2
- Knowledge of Unauthorized Possession of Firearm
- Possession of Schedule I Substance for Purpose of Trafficking (Cocaine)
- Possession of Schedule I Substance for Purpose of Trafficking (Oxycodone)
- Possession of Schedule I Substance for Purpose of Trafficking (Codeine)
- Possession of Firearm, Prohibited or Restricted Weapon Obtained by Crime
- Possession of Prohibited Device or Ammunition x2
- Possession of Prohibited or Restricted Firearm with Ammunition
- Possession of Weapon for Dangerous Purpose x3
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime – Over $5,000
- Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm
The accused was held in custody pending a bail hearing.
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).