On June 19, 2026, detectives with the Crime Suppression Unit and Drug Enforcement Unit, with assistance from the Emergency Services Unit, Ontario Provincial Police Community Street Crime Unit (CSCU) and Provincial Operations Intelligence Bureau (POIB), and in collaboration with the Waterloo Regional Police Service Street Crime Unit, executed a Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) search warrant in the district of Algoma.
During the search, officers located and seized 913 grams of suspected fentanyl, 353 grams of suspected cocaine, and $3,200 in Canadian currency. The total estimated street value of drugs seized is approximately $172,250.
As a result of the search warrant, three individuals were arrested and charged.
23-year-old Shirwa Ali of Ottawa, Ontario, is charged with:
- Possession of Schedule I Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking (Fentanyl)
- Possession of Schedule I Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking (Cocaine)
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime – Under $5,000
- Fail to Comply with Release Order x2
20-year-old Erman Salat and 21-year-old Abbas Shah, both of Kitchener, Ontario, are charged with:
- Possession of Schedule I Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking (Fentanyl)
- Possession of Schedule I Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking (Cocaine)
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime – Under $5,000
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).