Two Welland men charged after police seize $196,000 in drugs

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Published November 24, 2022 at 3:44 pm

Two Welland men has been charged after Niagara Police searched their homes and discovered a total of $196,000 in illegal drugs.

After police started an investigation into drug trafficking in Welland earlier this month, they got search warrants for two separate homes – one in the Memorial Park Drive and Quebec Avenue area, the other in the Ontario Road and Canal Bank Street neighbourhood.

Yesterday (November 23), the police raided both homes and found a total of 688.1 grams of suspected cocaine, 346.2 grams of suspected fentanyl, and 237.8 grams of suspected crystal methamphetamine with a street value of $196,000.

They also found over $5,000 in suspected crime cash.

Dryden Richard Berketo, 27, of Welland has been charged with:

• Possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking

• Possession of property obtained by crime over $5000

• Possession of fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking

• Possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking

Andrew Romanyk, 38, also of Welland has been charged with:

• Possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking

• Possession of fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking

• Possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking

Berketo was held for a bail hearing today (November 24) at the Welland Courthouse.

Romanyk was released and is scheduled to attend court on February 23 at the Welland Courthouse.

Anyone with information related this investigation is asked to contact the lead detective by dialing 905-688-4111, dial option #3, extension #1009565.

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