Niagara Regional Police Service News
2025-10-02 10:00:00 AM
The Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS), in partnership with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Combined Forces Special Enforcement (CFSEU) and the Criminal Intelligence Service of Ontario (CISO), has concluded a large-scale investigation into organized crime known as “Project Road King”
The investigation began in August 2024 after information received by the NRPS Major Drugs and Gang Unit pointed to a drug trafficking operation with ties to the Niagara Region. As the investigation continued, it became clear that the activity was part of a larger network operating across multiple jurisdictions.
By April of 2025, the scope of the investigation had expanded significantly. At that time, Project Road King became a Joint Forces Operation led by the Niagara Regional Police Service in partnership with Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU) which also includes the Hamilton Police Service, the Brantford Police Service, and the Canada Border Services Agency, with the additional assistance from the Halton Regional Police Service, and support from both the Criminal Intelligence Service of Ontario (CISO) and Équité Association. The primary focus was to dismantle networks responsible for large-scale drug trafficking while also addressing related criminal activity, including organized auto theft.
On Tuesday, September 9, 2025, investigators executed the official takedown of Project Road King. 12 search warrants were carried out in Niagara, Hamilton, and Toronto, supported by specialized units and resources from all partner agencies.
This resulted in the seizure of:
• 38 Recovered stolen vehicles ($3,363,652.00)
• 12.25kg of suspected Cocaine ($245,000.00)
• 1 kg of suspected Methamphetamine ($5,000.00)
• 1.5 kg MDMA ($15,000.00)
• 17 Long guns
• 3 Handguns
• $503, 450.00 in Canadian Currency
• $4,805.00 in U.S. Currency
The sophistication of this operation was evident in the stolen auto component. Several vehicles were intercepted at shipping points, already secured in containers and destined for international export. In other cases, investigators found that vehicle identification numbers had been altered with such precision that confirming the vehicles were stolen required expert examination.
In total, 30 people were arrested and charged. Collectively, the group faces 213 charges.
Curtis GRAVELLE, 31-year-old male, from Welland (42 charges) (in custody)
• 5 counts of Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence
• 11 counts of Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000
• 2 counts of Possession of a Schedule 1 Substance (Cocaine)
• 2 counts of Traffic in Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000
• 6 counts of Traffic in Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000
• 9 counts of Possession Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000 for the Purpose of Trafficking
• Careless Storage of a Firearm
• Possess Firearm without Holding a Licence
• Possess Firearm Knowingly Not Holding a Licence
• Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm in a Motor Vehicle
• Possession of a Loaded Regulated Firearm
• Possess Firearm Knowing Serial Number has been Tampered
• Possess Firearm Contrary to Order
Tim GRAVELLE, 36-year-old male, from Pelham (12 charges) (in custody)
• 4 counts of Conspiracy to Possess Schedule 1 Substance (Cocaine) for the Purpose of Trafficking
• Trafficking Schedule 1 Substance (Cocaine)
• Conspiracy to Traffic Prohibited Firearm
• Possession of a Schedule 1 Substance (Cocaine) for the Purpose of Trafficking
• Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking Prohibited Firearm
• Unauthorized Possession of a Prohibited Firearm
• Firearm in Motor Vehicle
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000
• Re-Vin Alteration of a Vin on a Motor Vehicle
Brandon BARREIRA, 31-year-old male, from Hamilton (4 charges) (in custody)
• Conspiracy to Commit Indictable Offence
• 2 counts of Possession Schedule 1 Substance (Cocaine) For the Purpose of Trafficking
• Possession of Proceeds of Crime Over $5000
Samantha GRAVELLE, 27-year-old female, from Welland (4 charges)
• 2 counts of Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000
• Uttering Forged Document
• Fraud Over $5000
Michael VANDERZANDEN, 39-year-old male, from Hamilton (7 charges)
• 2 Counts of Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime for Trafficking
• Traffic in Property Obtained by Crime Exceeding $5000
• Possession or Property Obtained by Crime for the Purpose of Trafficking Exceeding $5000
• 2 counts of Possess Property of Thing Obtained by Crime within Canada Exceeding $5000
• Utter Forged Document
• Fraud Over $5000
Tudor SOPTERIAN, 32-year-old male, from Hamilton (8 charges)
• 4 Counts of Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000
• 3 Counts of Trafficking in Property Obtained by Crime
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime for Trafficking
• Unauthorized Possession of a Prohibited Device
• Careless Storage of a Firearm
• Possession of Proceeds of Crime Over $5000
• Remove/Alter Vehicle Identification Number
• Fraud Over $5000
• Public Mischief
Andrija LOJOVIC, 44-year-old male, from Grimsby (3 charges)
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000
• Traffic in Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000
• Possession or Property Obtained by Crime for the Purpose of Trafficking Over $5000
Chad HARTLEY, 50-year-old male, from Welland (24 charges)
• 10 counts of Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000
• 7 counts of Traffic in Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000
• 7 counts of Possession or Property Obtained by Crime for the Purpose of Trafficking Over $5000
Christopher DAYBOLL, 33-year-old male, from Port Colborne (3 charges)
• Conspiracy to Possess Schedule 1 Substance (Cocaine) for the Purpose of Trafficking
• Possession of a Schedule 1 Substance (Cocaine)
• Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm
Justin BARTFAI-BELL, 31-year-old female, from Thorold (1 charge)
• Traffic in Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000
Keiran BARTON, 23-year-old male, from Etobicoke (3 charges)
• Possession of a Schedule 1 Substance (Cocaine) for the Purpose of Trafficking
• Trafficking Schedule 1 Substance (Cocaine)
• Possession of Proceeds of Crime Over $5000
Courtney TAYLOR, 36-year-old female, from Hamilton (5 charges)
• 2 counts of Conspiracy to Possess Schedule 1 Substance (Cocaine) for the Purpose of Trafficking
• 2 counts of Possession of a Schedule 1 Substance (Cocaine) for the Purpose of Trafficking
• Possession of Proceeds of Crime Over $5000
Marta LEITE, 54-year-old female, from Hamilton (1 charge)
• Possession of a Schedule 1 Substance (Cocaine) for the Purpose of Trafficking
Andrew FUGERE, 32-year-old male, from Port Colborne (8 charges)
• 2 counts of Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000
• Traffic in Property Obtained by Crime
• Possess Property Obtained by Crime for the Purpose of Trafficking
• Utter Forged Document
• Fraud Over $5000
• Conspiracy to Commit Indictable Offence
• Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm
Khalid IDRIS, 35-year-old male, from Toronto (5 charges)
• 2 counts of Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over
• Traffic Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000 for the Purpose of Trafficking
• Alter/Remove or Obliterate a Vehicle Identification Number
Marc- Andre PERIARD, 41-year-old male, from Welland (10 charges)
• 4 counts of Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000
• 3 counts of Traffic in Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000
• 3 counts of Possess Property Obtained of Crime Over $5000 for the Purpose of Trafficking
Taylor VANDERZANDEN, 29-year-old male, from Pelham (4 charges)
• Possess Firearm Knowingly Not Holding Licence
• Possess Firearm Without Holding a Licence
• Careless Storage of Firearm
• Possession Schedule 1 Substance (MDMA) for the Purpose of Trafficking
Auston ROBINSON, 31-year-old male, from Pelham (5 charges)
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000
• 2 counts of Traffic Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000
• 2 counts of Possess Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000 for the Purpose of Trafficking
Courtney BROWN, 37-year-old male, from Niagara Falls (4 charges)
• Conspiracy to Commit Indictable Offence
• 2 counts of Possession Schedule 1 Substance (Cocaine) For the Purpose of Trafficking
• Possession of Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000
Kier MCCOLL, 39-year-old male, from Hamilton (5 charges)
• Possession of Proceeds of Crime Over $5000
• Conspiracy to Commit Indictable Offence
• Possession Schedule 1 Substance (Cocaine) For the Purpose of Trafficking
• Possession Schedule 1 Substance (Cocaine)
• Possession Schedule 1 Substance (MDMA)
Brody O’DELL, 22-year-old male, from Lincoln (7 charges)
• 3 counts of Traffic Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000
• 4 counts of Possess Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000 for the Purpose of Trafficking
Tristan GORDON, 31-year-old male, from Niagara Falls (2 charges)
• Possession of a Schedule 1 Substance (Cocaine) for the Purpose of Trafficking
• Possession of Proceeds of Crime
Brenda DUBE, 50-year-old female, from Niagara Falls (2 charges)
• Possession of a Schedule 1 Substance (Cocaine) for the Purpose of Trafficking
• Possession of Proceeds of Crime
Ryan MCMANN, 34-year-old male, from Welland (3 charges)
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000
• Traffic in Property Obtained by Crime Exceeding $5000
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000 for the Purpose of Trafficking
Santoy MCKENLY, 33-year-old male, of No Fixed Abode (1 charge)
• Possession Schedule 1 Substance (Cocaine) For the Purpose of Trafficking
Darryl DAVANCE, 24-year-old male, from Montreal (14 charges)
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime over $5000
• 2 counts of Possession of Device for Purpose of Committing Theft
• 2 counts of Possession of Burglary Tools
• 4 counts of Possession of Property Obtained by Crime under $5000
• Possession or Prohibited Weapon
• Possession of Electronic Device for Committing Motor Vehicle Theft
• Possession of Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000
• Theft of Motor Vehicle
• Fail to Comply with Release Order
Jovenson ESTIME, 23-year-old male, from Montreal (14 charges)
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime over $5000
• 2 counts of Possession of Device for Purpose of Committing Theft
• 2 counts of Possession of Burglary Tools
• 4 counts of Possession of Property Obtained by Crime under $5000
• Possession or Prohibited Weapon
• Possession of Electronic Device for Committing Motor Vehicle Theft
• Possession of Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000
• Theft of Motor Vehicle
• Failing to Comply with Probation Order
Rocco LAURENTI, 27-year-old male, from Pelham (1 charge)
• Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking Schedule 1 Substance (Cocaine)
Joshua ST. AMOUR, 26-year-old male, from Thorold (8 charges)
• Conspiracy to Commit Indictable Offence
• Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking Schedule 1 Substance (Cocaine)
• Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking Schedule 1 Substance (Methamphetamine)
• Possession of Proceeds Obtained by Crime Over $5000
• Obstruct Peace Officer
• 3 counts of Fail to Comply with Probation Order
Lexi JUDGE, 25-year-old female, from Niagara Falls (3 charges)
• Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking Schedule 1 Substance (Cocaine)
• Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking Schedule 1 Substance (Methamphetamine)
• Possession of Proceeds Obtained by Crime Over $5000
Curtis GRAVELLE, Timothy GRAVELLE and Brandon BARREIRA remain in custody. The remaining 27 accused persons were released on various forms.
This remains an active and on-going investigation with further charges anticipated.
“Project Road King is proof that collaboration in policing is not optional, it’s essential. By joining forces with our partners, we dismantled criminal networks that reached far beyond Niagara’s borders, seizing drugs, cash, and stolen vehicles before they could further harm our communities. The message is clear; organized crime will be met with persistence, and partnerships stronger than their networks,” said Niagara Regional Police Chief of Police Bill Fordy.
The successful completion of this lengthy investigation was made possible through funding provided by the Ontario Government, Ministry of the Solicitor General in which the Criminal Intelligence Service Ontario supported this Joint Forces investigation.
About Équité Association
As the national authority on insurance crime and fraud prevention, Équité Association is a not-for-profit organization supporting Canadian property and casualty (P&C) insurers. Équité combats the insurance crime problem that takes advantage of vulnerable Canadians by deploying advanced analytics, intelligence best practices, and coordinated investigations. Delivering improved service and fraud analytics for vehicle, property, and cargo recovery to its members, Équité collaborates with law enforcement, partners and industry organizations to protect Canadians against exploitation.