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In the spring of 2025, detectives from the 1 District (St. Catharines/Thorold) Street Crime Unit of the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) began an investigation into a St. Catharines man who was wanted on multiple outstanding arrest warrants dating back to 2016.

On April 30, 2025, investigators located the wanted man and observed activity consistent with an illegal drug transaction. The man was in a vehicle with a woman when he was arrested on the strength of his outstanding warrants. A search of the man following his arrest resulted in the seizure of 0.3 grams of suspected fentanyl and $227 in Canadian currency.

The woman was also arrested at the same time in connection with the suspected trafficking of illegal drugs from the vehicle. During her arrest, officers seized a purple plastic bag containing 5.8 grams of suspected fentanyl and $65 in Canadian currency.

Later that day, detectives executed a search warrant at a related residence in St. Catharines. The search resulted in the seizure of:

  • 76.2 grams of suspected fentanyl
  • $2,090 in Canadian currency
  • 100 oxycodone pills

As a result of the investigation, the following individuals have been arrested and charged:

Garfield Swaby, 51, of St. Catharines, has been charged with:

  • Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking (fentanyl)
  • Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking (oxycodone)
  • Possession of proceeds of crime under $5,000
  • Fail to comply with release order (six counts)

Swaby’s outstanding warrants were related to property crimes, drug offences, and breaches of release conditions. He was held in custody for a video bail hearing at the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse in St. Catharines on May 1, 2025, and remains in custody with a next court date scheduled for May 2, 2025.

Nicole Jean Ley, 45, of St. Catharines, has been charged with:

  • Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking (fentanyl)
  • Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking (oxycodone)
  • Possession of proceeds of crime under $5,000

Ley was released from custody on a Form 10 Undertaking with a future court date.

The investigation remains ongoing under the direction of the 1 District Street Crime Unit.

Anyone with information related to this matter is encouraged to contact the Niagara Regional Police Service at 905-688-4111, option 3, extension 1009405.

Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477.  Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to persons who contact the program with information which leads to an arrest.

Click Here For Crime Stoppers Online   

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