Police say northern Ont. suspect resold $94K in rented equipment after removing GPS

A 47-year-old suspect from Powassan, Ont., has been charged with fraud and drug offences, as well as for participating in a criminal organization.

The charges stem from an Ontario Provincial Police investigation into a scheme in which someone rented commercial grade rental equipment from various rental companies in southern Ontario.

“The heavy equipment was rented, the global positioning transmitters (GPS) were removed and the products were re-sold by the accused,” the OPP said in a news release Wednesday.

“The reported loss was valued at $94,000.”

North Bay OPP began its investigation Aug. 9, 2023, and made the arrest June 18. Armed with a search warrant, police raided a resident on Main Street in Powassan.

“During the search, officers located a large quantity of illicit drugs, including substances suspected to be fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, psilocybin (mushrooms) and oxycodone, with a total estimated street value of $20,000,” police said.

“Officers also seized over $3,300 in Canadian currency.”

The suspect has been charged with fraud over $5,000, participating in criminal organization, drug trafficking, weapons offences, possession of property obtained by crime and breaching a conditional sentence order.

The accused was held for a bail hearing before the Ontario Court of Justice.

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