NEWS RELEASE
NIAGARA REGIONAL POLICE
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In 2024, members of the Niagara Regional Police Service Auto Theft Investigation and Prevention Unit began investigating several suspected stolen vehicles believed to be revinned and operating in the Niagara Region.
As a result of the investigation, detectives worked with the OPP OCTATT Unit, 2 District (Niagara Falls/Niagara on the Lake) Street Crime Unit, the 1 District (St. Catharines/Thorold) Street Crime Unit, along with Halton Regional Police Service and executed warrants across the Region of Niagara.
These warrants resulted in the seizure of five stolen vehicles and two stolen motorcycles, the value exceeding $400,000.
These warrants resulted in a further investigation into the trafficking of drugs by the 2 District Street Crime Unit.
A search warrant was authored for an address on the Niagara River Parkway which resulted in the seizure of:
- 2,656.5 grams of cocaine
- 2,782.3 grams of crystal meth amphetamine
- 2,050 Oxycontin Pills
- 7,019 grams of marijuana
- 75 Marijuana pens
Total estimated street value of the drugs seized is in excess of $184,000 along with $40,000 in Canadian currency.
Bernie Visca, 50, of Niagara Falls was arrested and charged with:
- Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 x 5
- Trafficking in property obtained by crime over $5,000
- Possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine
- Possession for the purpose of trafficking crystal methamphetamine
- Possession for the purpose of trafficking oxycontin x 2
- Possession of marijuana for the purpose of distribution
- Possession of proceeds of crime over $5,000
Visca was held in custody pending a video bail hearing on March 6, 2024, at the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse located a 59 Church Street in the City of St. Catharines.
The Niagara Regional Police Service is a member of the provincial strategy to prevent auto thefts and conducts investigations in partnership with Ontario Police Services and International Partners. This investigative initiative has been made possible by a grant from the Ministry of the Solicitor General, allowing the NRPS to create the Auto Theft Investigation and Prevention Unit.
Additionally, the NRPS is an active participant of the OPP-led Organized Crime Towing and Auto Theft (OCTATT) Unit which conducts joint forces investigations related to identifying, disrupting, and dismantling organized crime networks operating high-level criminal and fraudulent activities related to vehicle crime, auto theft and misconduct in the towing industry.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Niagara Regional Police Service by calling 905-688-4111. Option 3, ext. 1005370.
Members of the public who wish to supply information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477.
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