Three arrested on drug trafficking charges

July 8, 2025

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Three people — two from Toronto — face charges after a search warrant led to the seizure of suspected cocaine and fentanyl from a Thunder Bay home.


The Thunder Bay Intelligence Unit executed a search warrant at a Gemstone Drive residence on Monday, July 7, obtained as a result of an investigation into suspected drug trafficking.


Officers located three suspects within the residence. All three were arrested and taken into custody.


A search of the residence led to the seizure of quantities of suspected cocaine and fentanyl, along with cash exceeding $5,000 and paraphernalia consistent with drug trafficking.


The estimated value of drugs seized is $311,000.


Shamore CLARKE, 26, of Toronto; Jalen CONNELL-WONG, 24, of Toronto; and Jennifer VACCHER, 39, of Thunder Bay, are charged with the following:

• Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (Cocaine)

• Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (Fentanyl)

• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime over $5,000


The investigation was assisted by members of the OPP.


The accused individuals appeared in court on Tuesday and have been remanded into custody with future appearance dates.

Man arrested for impaired driving, resisting officer after attempting to flee

August 22, 2025
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FRAUD FRIDAY: Home repair and renovation scams

August 22, 2025
The Thunder Bay Police Service is continuing to advise the public of scams that target local residents. Police regularly receive reports of residents who have been victimized by fraudulent home repair or renovation scams. The schemes may be carried out in the form of a person going door-to-door — claiming they’ve noticed an issue that needs to be urgently addressed — or through online and social media advertisements offering repairs or renovations. The scammers will offer to complete a particular project for an agreed cost but ask for money in advance before doing any work or providing equipment and materials. Once they have received payment, little or no work is done and promised products are not provided. They may request more money, claiming it’s necessary to be able to carry out the work. If the work is ever completed, it is often poor quality and could pose a safety hazard or need to be redone. The Thunder Bay Police Service’s Economic Crime Unit urges residents to speak to family members and friends who may be vulnerable to being targeted by these types of scams. If there is doubt about whether a repair or product is necessary, seek a second opinion from a trusted person or a certified professional. If you are concerned about potential scams and want to learn more, please visit https://www.thunderbaypolice.ca/safety/fraud-prevention or contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre ( http://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/ ) To make a fraud/cyber crime online report to the Thunder Bay Police Service, please visit: https://www.services.tryrubicon.com/thunder-bay-police-service/online-reports/report/fraud-cybercrime

Low-Speed Vehicles not permitted on Thunder Bay roads

August 22, 2025
The Thunder Bay Police Service is reminding members of the public that low-speed vehicles are not allowed on public roads in the city. A low-speed vehicle is an electric, four-wheel vehicle that is smaller and lighter than a regular car and have a maximum speed of 40 kilometres per hour . These vehicles may have many similar features to a conventional motor vehicle (seat belts, a steering wheel, pedals and speedometer), but they have fewer safety features and do not meet the same safety standards. These may be marketed as mobility devices, but they are legislated as vehicles that are subject to Highway Traffic Act rules of the road. Electric enclosed mobility scooters that have a lower maximum speed are considered pedestrians under the Highway Traffic Act and are not to be operated on roadways as a vehicle, instead they are to use sidewalks, multi-use trails, or travel on the road shoulder against oncoming traffic. In Ontario, low-speed vehicles are legislated through a 10-year pilot program that began in 2017 and requires municipalities to have implemented bylaws allowing their use on public roadways or sidewalks. As The City of Thunder Bay does not currently have such bylaws, these vehicles are not legal for use within Thunder Bay.  Violations can result in Highway Traffic Act charges, fines, and driving suspensions or prohibitions.