Welland arrests: $119,680 in suspected drugs seized, 2 charged

Two people were arrested at a Welland business on Nov. 4, 2026, during a drug trafficking investigation that led to the seizure of suspected fentanyl and cocaine worth an estimated $119,680, Niagara Regional Police said.

Police said the arrests took place at a business on Crowland Avenue. The service’s 2 District Street Crime Unit began investigating a man and a woman for alleged controlled-substance trafficking in the Niagara region in November, with help from the Opioid Enforcement and Education Unit.

Police sought and received judicial authorization for a residence on Grayson Avenue in Fort Erie. They said the investigation resulted in the seizure of 201.4 grams of suspected fentanyl, valued at $20,140, and 995.4 grams of suspected cocaine, valued at $99,540. Officers also seized $11,100 in Canadian currency, $350 in U.S. currency, an extendable baton and a replica handgun.

Charges and court dates

Ernest Stillwell, 43, of Port Colborne, and Olivia Morgante, 36, of Fort Erie, are each charged with possession of cocaine and fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking, possession of proceeds of crime over $5,000 and unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted weapon.

Stillwell is also charged with possession of a weapon contrary to a prohibition order and failure to comply with a probation order. Police said he remains in custody and is scheduled for a bail hearing on Nov. 5 at the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse, 59 Church St., in St. Catharines. Morgante was released on a Form 10 undertaking with a future court date.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at (905) 688-4111, option 3, extension 1008915. To provide an anonymous tip, call 289-248-1058. The incident number is 26-139682.