IMPAIRED INVESTIGATION LEADS TO NINE ARRESTS
This site earns commission from purchases made through ad links. We only promote products we believe in or use ourselves
(QUINTE WEST, ON) - The Quinte West Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has charged nine people following an impaired investigation that led to officers uncovering a large-scale theft ring.
On Tuesday June 16, 2026, at approximately 05:10 am, a traffic complaint at the intersection of County Road 64 and Loyalist Parkway, Quinte West, led Quinte West OPP to suspect a motorist may have been impaired.
An investigation conducted by Quinte West OPP and the Quinte West OPP Crime Unit resulted in a search warrant that was executed, with the assistance of the East Region OPP Emergency Response Team and the OPP Forensic Identification Services (FIS), at a residence on Blue Heron Drive, Quinte West. As a result of the initial impaired investigation and the subsequent investigation, nine people were arrested resulting in boats, trailers, tools, appliances, electronic equipment, sporting goods and other household items being confiscated.
Edwin RASANAYAGAM, 40 years old from Quinte West, was charged with:
- Operation while impaired - blood drug concentration
- Operation while impaired - alcohol and drugs
- Assault a peace officer
- Possession property obtained by crime over $5000
Michelle COOKE, 43 years old, Yumna GHANCHI, 29 years old, Sydney HOWARD, 29 years old from St. Catherines, Kelly HUSSEY, 42 years old from Scarborough, Colin JAMES, 41 years old from Scarborough, Ramanan MANGALESWARAN, 38 years old from Markham, Richard McCALLUM, 46 years old from Pickering, and Jessica NEWTON, 32 years old from Toronto were charged with:
- Possession property obtained by crime over $5000
- Forcible confinement
- Assault with a weapon
Additionally, GHANCHI was charged with:
- Failure to comply with an undertaking
- Failure to comply with a release order - other than to attend court
HOWARD was charged with:
- Obstruct peace officer
- Personation with intent to avoid arrest, prosecution or obstruct justice
HUSSEY was charged with:
- Failure to comply with a release order - other than to attend court x3
- Failure to comply with undertaking
MANGALESWARAN was charged with:
- Failure to comply with a release order - other than to attend court x2
NEWTON was charged with:
- Failure to comply with a release order - other than to attend court x2
- Obstruct peace officer
- Personation with intent to avoid arrest, prosecution or obstruct justice
All the accused were held for a bail hearing at the Ontario Court of Justice in Belleville.