Police say drug trafficking and prohibited weapons found at encampment
Durham Regional Police Service officers executed a search warrant on Aug. 12 at an encampment near Bond Street West and McMillan Drive in Oshawa, uncovering a variety of controlled substances, cash, drug paraphernalia and a prohibited Conducted Energy Weapon (CEW), police reported.
Two people who were at the site — a 45-year-old man and a 41-year-old woman, both listed as having no fixed address — were arrested and remain in custody pending a bail hearing. Police say both face multiple charges related to drug trafficking, possession and weapons offences.
Charges laid and items seized
The accused were identified by Durham police as Jason Boyd, 45, and Melissa Boyd, 41. Court documents and police statements list charges that include trafficking and possession for the purpose of trafficking in Schedule I substances, unlawful possession of Schedule I substances, possession of proceeds of crime and possession of prohibited weapons.
- Drugs reported seized: fentanyl, crystal methamphetamine, hydromorphone and Dilaudid
- Other items: cash, drug paraphernalia, and a prohibited Conducted Energy Weapon (CEW)
- Next legal step: both were held for a bail hearing
To give readers a clear view of the specific charges, the main counts police reported are summarised below.
| Accused | Selected charges reported by police |
|---|---|
| Jason Boyd, 45 | Trafficking in Schedule I substance; possession for the purpose of trafficking (three counts); possession of proceeds of crime under $5,000; unlawful possession of Schedule I substance; possession of weapon dangerous; possession of prohibited weapon; fail to comply with probation order. |
| Melissa Boyd, 41 | Trafficking in Schedule I substance; possession for the purpose of trafficking (three counts); unlawful possession of Schedule I substance; possession of proceeds of crime under $5,000; possession weapon dangerous; possession prohibited weapon. |
Community safety and next steps
Encampment-related searches continue to be a flashpoint across Ontario cities as police, municipal authorities and outreach agencies navigate public-safety concerns, homelessness, and addiction. In this instance, officers say the discovery of trafficking-level quantities and a prohibited weapon prompted the charges.
Durham police are asking anyone with information about this incident to contact the Central East Division Community Resource Unit. They provided a direct contact and also offered anonymous reporting through Crime Stoppers.
"Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Cst. McKinnon of the Central East Division Community Resource Unit at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 1708. Anonymous tips can be sent to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or online."
The seizure and charges will proceed through the criminal justice system. As with all police matters, charges are allegations and subject to proof in court. Local residents who live or work near Bond Street West and McMillan Drive said they have noticed an increased police presence in the area in recent months, reflecting broader enforcement and outreach efforts in Oshawa.
Officials did not release further details about how the investigation developed prior to the warrant or whether additional people are under investigation. Police photos related to the seizure were provided by the Durham Regional Police Service.
For now, the outcome of the bail hearing and any follow-up enforcement or social-service responses will determine how the site and nearby neighbourhoods are managed in the coming weeks.
