NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
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MUSKOKA - Bracebridge and Huntsville Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) began receiving reports from pharmacies in Gravenhurst and Bracebridge about fraudulent prescriptions being submitted between Wednesday, Nov. 13 and Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019. Fraudsters were successful in obtaining hundreds of prescription opioids as a result.
Pharmacists and police were proactive in reaching out to other pharmacies in the area and shortly after 4 p.m. on Nov. 14, a suspect was recognized by staff at a pharmacy in Huntsville while attempting to submit a prescription and police were called.
The suspect attempted to enter a waiting vehicle but was located by police and arrested before he could get in. The vehicle fled but was stopped a short distance away and three occupants of the vehicle were arrested.
Police have charged 23-year-old Ali Khatib of Mississauga with the following:
- Use, deals, acts on forged document CC368(1)(a)
- Traffick in Schedule I Substance - Opioid CDSA 5(1)
- Fraud Under $5,000 CC 380(1)(b)
- Personation with Intent CC 403(1)(d)
- Obstruct Peace Officer CC 129(a)
- Possession of Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose CC 88
- Fail to Comply with Recognizance CC 145(3)
Also charged is 24-year-old Zakaria Elmi of Mississauga with:
- Use, deals, acts on forged document CC368(1)(a)
- Traffick in Schedule I Substance - Opioid CDSA 5(1)
- Fraud Under $5,000 CC 380(1)(b)
- Personation with Intent CC 403(1)(d)
- Obstruct Peace Officer CC 129(a)
- Possession of Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose CC 88
Also charged is 24-year-old Christopher Oyawale of Toronto with:
- Use, deals, acts on forged document CC368(1)(a)
- Traffick in Schedule I Substance - Opioid CDSA 5(1)
- Fraud Under $5,000 CC 380(1)(b)
- Dangerous Operation CC 320.13(1)
- Flight from Peace Officer CC 320.17
- Possession of Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose CC 88
Also charged is 23-year-old Twuan Mcneil of North York with:
- Use, deals, acts on forged document CC368(1)(a)
- Traffick in Schedule I Substance - Opioid CDSA 5(1)
- Fraud Under $5,000 CC 380(1)(b)
- Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose CC 88
All four accused parties appeared in the Ontario Court of Justice in Bracebridge, Ont. for a bail hearing on Nov. 15, 2019.
The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to call Bracebridge OPP at 1-888-310-1122. You may also call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit your information online at www.crimestopperssdm.com. Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to call display and you will remain anonymous. Being anonymous, you will not testify in court and your information may lead to a cash reward of up to $2,000.
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