Three Charged and a Fourth Wanted in Welland Drug Investigation
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During the late spring of 2026 detectives with the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) 2 District (Niagara Falls/Niagara-on-the-Lake) Street Crime Unit (SCU) commenced a drug related investigation into the trafficking of controlled substances in the Niagara Region.
42-year-old Ryan WILSON of St. Catharines was identified as a suspect and on June 9, 2026, a search warrant was granted for a residence in the McAlpine Avenue South and Hagar Street area of Welland.
Prior to the execution of the warrant, WILSON was arrested in a vehicle in the Hwy 20 and Hwy 58 area of Thorold, along with a female identified as 38-year-old Erica SANTHA of Welland.
The Emergency Task Unit (ETU), 1 District (St. Catharines/Thorold), 2 District and 3 District (Welland/Pelham) Street Crime Units, 2 District and 3 District Criminal Investigations Bureau (CIB), 3 District Uniform Patrol, K9 and the Tactical Support Group, all assisted with the execution of the search warrant. A second female, 24-year-old Kristen WALKER of Welland was arrested at the residence.
The following items were seized during the arrest and execution of the warrant.
- Credit card.22 Calibre Handgun
- 1323 grams of Suspected Fentanyl (value $132,340)
- 1925 grams of Suspected Ecstasy (MDMA) (value $134,778)
- 57.6 grams of Suspected Cocaine (value $5760)
- $605 of Canadian Currency
- Brass Knuckles
Ryan WILSON has been charged with the following offences.
- Unauthorized Possession of a Prohibited Device
- Possess Schedule 1 Substance for Trafficking (Fentanyl) x2
- Possess Schedule 1 Substance for Trafficking (Opioid)
- Possess Schedule 1 Substance for Trafficking (Cocaine) x2
- Possess Schedule 1 Substance for Trafficking (Hydromorphone)
- Possession of Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000
- Careless Storage of a Firearm
- Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm in a Motor Vehicle
- Possess Firearm Without Holding a Licence
- Possess Restricted or Prohibited Firearm Knowingly Not Holding Licence
- Possession of a Firearm Contrary to Prohibition Order
Erica SANTHA has been charged with the following offences.
- Possess Schedule 1 Substance for Trafficking (Fentanyl)
- Possess Schedule 1 Substance for Trafficking (Cocaine)
- Possession of Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000
- Careless Storage of a Firearm
- Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm in a Motor Vehicle
- Possess Firearm Without Holding a Licence
- Possess Restricted or Prohibited Firearm Knowingly Not Holding Licence
- Possession of a Firearm Contrary to Prohibition Order
Kristen WALKER has been charged with the following offences.
- Unauthorized Possession of a Prohibited Device
- Possess Schedule 1 Substance for Trafficking (Fentanyl)
- Possess Schedule 1 Substance for Trafficking (Opioid)
- Possess Schedule 1 Substance for Trafficking (Cocaine)
- Possess Schedule 1 Substance for Trafficking (Hydromorphone)
An arrest warrant has been sought for 44-year-old Mitchell CHANNON of Welland for the following offences.
- Unauthorized Possession of a Prohibited Device
- Possess Schedule 1 Substance for Trafficking (Fentanyl)
- Possess Schedule 1 Substance for Trafficking (Opioid)
- Possess Schedule 1 Substance for Trafficking (Cocaine)
- Possess Schedule 1 Substance for Trafficking (Hydromorphone)
WILSON, SANTHA and WALKER remain in custody and are scheduled to attend bail hearings June 10, 2026.