Two Southern Ontario residents remain in custody following a traffic stop on Tuesday, where police seized an estimated $660,000 in drugs as part of an ongoing investigation.

Members of the Thunder Bay Police Service’s Intelligence Unit stopped a Jeep on Arthur Street West just before 10:00 a.m. where they took a 27 year old Toronto man and a 24 year old Gravenhurst woman into custody.

Items seized include:

• 2.5 kilograms of cocaine
• 1 kilogram of crystal methamphetamine
• 1.25 kilograms of fentanyl
• Just over 900 pills
• 2019 Jeep Cherokee
• 9mm pistol, loaded with hollow point ammunition
• Just over $1000 cash

“The combination of this weapon, fully loaded with hollow points, and in the company of this level of drug seizure is concerning,” said Detective Inspector Jeremy Pearson during a media conference Wednesday. “Its indicative of the violence the danger that’s associated with drug trafficking.”

Detective Inspector Jeremy Pearson says the presence of the type of ammunition found loaded in the 9mm pistol seized is concerning (Adam Riley / Acadia Broadcasting)

Pearson notes this isn’t the first major seizure made by city police in recent months, or years, but calls it exceptionally significant.

Adding there is a certain level of frustration felt with repeat busts of a similar size.

“It is easy to become blasé or conditioned with seizures of this magnitude and that in itself, frightening.”

He says he can remember a time when the discovery of a kilogram of cocaine was extremely significant, but now it has almost become common place.

Another issue Pearson points out is once again the accused are not members of the community or region, which reinforces concerns of drug traffickers from beyond the region making Thunder Bay the place to apply their trade.

Both of the accused face a long list of charges, for the 27 year old:
• Possession of Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking
• Possession of Fentanyl for the Purpose of Trafficking
• Possession of Methamphetamine for the Purpose of Trafficking
• Possession of Oxycodone for the Purpose of Trafficking
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000
• Possession of Loaded Prohibited or Restricted Firearm
• Possession of Prohibited Device or Ammunition
• Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm
• Occupant of Motor Vehicle Knowing There was Prohibited or Restricted Weapon
• Possession of Firearm or Ammunition Contrary to Prohibition Order

Meanwhile the 24 year old faces:
• Possession of Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking
• Possession of Fentanyl for the Purpose of Trafficking
• Possession of Methamphetamine for the Purpose of Trafficking
• Possession of Oxycodone for the Purpose of Trafficking
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000
• Possession of Loaded Prohibited or Restricted Firearm
• Possession of Prohibited Device or Ammunition
• Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm
• Occupant of Motor Vehicle Knowing There was Prohibited or Restricted Weapon

Both appeared in court Wednesday and have been remanded into custody.