Four charged as joint investigation takes down drug ring

A seizure of cocaine, ecstasy and marijuana with an estimated street value of $50,000 was the final stage of an investigation into a drug ring with ties to Burlington, Sudbury and the French River area.

The Ontario Provincial Police Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau, Sudbury Unit, supported by the Halton Regional Police Service, announced Friday they arrested and charged a Burlington resident and several others with distributing large quantities of cocaine in the region.

The investigation concluded with a vehicle stop on Hwy. 69 and the seizure of 560 grams of cocaine, with an estimated street value of $50,000. That seizure was followed by the execution of three search warrants that turned up more illegal drugs -- 1,000 ecstasy pills, a small quantity of cannabis resin and marijuana, along with $2,100 cash and one vehicle.

Facing charges are:

Albert Savoie, 66, of Noelville:
Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purposes of Trafficking - one count
Trafficking in a Controlled Substance – one count
Possession of Property Obtained by Crime – one count

Walid Shaba, 52, of Burlington:
Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purposes of Trafficking – two counts
Trafficking in a Controlled Substance – one count
Possession of Property Obtained by Crime – one count

Liette Langevin, 54, of Wahnapitae:
Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purposes of Trafficking – one count
Trafficking in a Controlled Substance – one count
Possession of a Controlled Substance – one count
Possession of Property Obtained by Crime – one count

Jamie Savoie, 31, of French River:
Possession of a Controlled Substance – one count
Fail to Comply with Bail Recognizance – one count

Robert Chretien, 46, of Sudbury:
Possession of a Controlled Substance – one count.