49-Year-Old Ridgeway Man Arrested for Drug Trafficking

In early 2026, detectives with the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) 5 District (Fort Erie) Criminal Investigations Bureau (CIB) began an investigation into the sales of illicit substances at an address on Nicolas Road in Ridgeway.

On May 26, 2026, a Controlled Drugs and Substances Act search warrant was granted for the residence and on May 27, 2026, detectives executed that warrant.

 49-year-old Raffaele PETRAZZUOLO of Ridgeway was arrested and charged with the following offences.

• Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking (Fentanyl)
• Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking (Crystal Methamphetamine)
• Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking (Opioid)
• Failing to comply with probation

PETRAZZUOLO was released with a future court date.

During the search, detectives seized the following items.

• 2.3 Grams of suspected Fentanyl
• 6.6 Grams of suspected Crystal Methamphetamine
• A large quantity of empty methadone bottles that were not prescribed to the accused
• Items consistent with the trafficking of illicit substances
• Replica BB handgun

Also arrested in the residence was 35-year-old Candace KASPER of Fort Erie on an outstanding warrant for Failing to Comply with a Probation Order.

Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact the Niagara Regional Police Service’s 5 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-688-4111, option 3, extension 1009803.

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

NRPS incident 26-63260