Joint Forces Operation

The Port Hope Police Service, Cobourg Police Services and the Ontario Provincial Police conducted a Joint Forces Operation termed “Project Backwood”.  The project was a 4-month drug investigation concentrating on the trafficking of illicit substances including Fentanyl, Methamphetamines and opioids.  

The investigation centered in the Grafton area and extended into Cobourg, Port Hope and other parts of Northumberland County.  

Early Friday morning, the OPP Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau, Community Street Crime Unit, Tactical Response Unit and Emergency Response Unit executed simultaneous warrants in the Grafton and Colborne area.  

At the Grafton residence, Police seized approximately 9 ounces of individually wrapped packages suspected to be cocaine, crack cocaine, crystal meth and fentanyl, 360 grams of marihuana, 366 assorted prescription opiates and $3,100 cash.  Officers also located on the property a large marihuana grow operation of 221 mature plants that was being guarded by two individuals in a tent who were in possession of a 20 gauge shotgun and a 22-caliber rifle.   

10 people were taken into custody.  Five were held for a bail hearing, two were released on a promise to appear and three were released unconditionally with no charges. 

The estimated value of the drugs, not including the value of the plants that were eradicated from the property, was $36,000. 

Charges include possession of controlled substances for the purposes of trafficking, unauthorized possession of firearms, production of marihuana, possession of a prohibited weapon, and possession of property obtained by crime.   

No names have been released as the investigation is ongoing.