Three Charged and a Fourth Wanted in Welland Drug Investigation
During the late spring of 2026 detectives with the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) 2 District (Niagara Falls/Niagara-on-the-Lake) Street Crime Unit (SCU) commenced a drug related investigation into the trafficking of controlled substances in the Niagara Region.
42-year-old Ryan WILSON of St. Catharines was identified as a suspect and on June 9, 2026, a search warrant was granted for a residence in the McAlpine Avenue South and Hagar Street area of Welland.
Prior to the execution of the warrant, WILSON was arrested in a vehicle in the Hwy 20 and Hwy 58 area of Thorold, along with a female identified as 38-year-old Erica SANTHA of Welland.
The Emergency Task Unit (ETU), 1 District (St. Catharines/Thorold), 2 District and 3 District (Welland/Pelham) Street Crime Units, 2 District and 3 District Criminal Investigations Bureau (CIB), 3 District Uniform Patrol, K9 and the Tactical Support Group, all assisted with the execution of the search warrant. A second female, 24-year-old Kristen WALKER of Welland was arrested at the residence.
The following items were seized during the arrest and execution of the warrant.
- Credit card .22 Calibre Handgun
- 1323 grams of Suspected Fentanyl (value $132,340)
- 1925 grams of Suspected Ecstasy (MDMA) (value $134,778)
- 57.6 grams of Suspected Cocaine (value $5760)
- $605 of Canadian Currency
- Brass Knuckles
Ryan WILSON has been charged with the following offences.
- Unauthorized Possession of a Prohibited Device
- Possess Schedule 1 Substance for Trafficking (Fentanyl) x2
- Possess Schedule 1 Substance for Trafficking (Opioid)
- Possess Schedule 1 Substance for Trafficking (Cocaine) x2
- Possess Schedule 1 Substance for Trafficking (Hydromorphone)
- Possession of Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000
- Careless Storage of a Firearm
- Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm in a Motor Vehicle
- Possess Firearm Without Holding a Licence
- Possess Restricted or Prohibited Firearm Knowingly Not Holding Licence
- Possession of a Firearm Contrary to Prohibition Order
Erica SANTHA has been charged with the following offences.
- Possess Schedule 1 Substance for Trafficking (Fentanyl)
- Possess Schedule 1 Substance for Trafficking (Cocaine)
- Possession of Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000
- Careless Storage of a Firearm
- Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm in a Motor Vehicle
- Possess Firearm Without Holding a Licence
- Possess Restricted or Prohibited Firearm Knowingly Not Holding Licence
- Possession of a Firearm Contrary to Prohibition Order
Kristen WALKER has been charged with the following offences.
- Unauthorized Possession of a Prohibited Device
- Possess Schedule 1 Substance for Trafficking (Fentanyl)
- Possess Schedule 1 Substance for Trafficking (Opioid)
- Possess Schedule 1 Substance for Trafficking (Cocaine)
- Possess Schedule 1 Substance for Trafficking (Hydromorphone)
An arrest warrant has been sought for 44-year-old Mitchell CHANNON of Welland for the following offences.
- Unauthorized Possession of a Prohibited Device
- Possess Schedule 1 Substance for Trafficking (Fentanyl)
- Possess Schedule 1 Substance for Trafficking (Opioid)
- Possess Schedule 1 Substance for Trafficking (Cocaine)
- Possess Schedule 1 Substance for Trafficking (Hydromorphone)
WILSON, SANTHA and WALKER remain in custody and are scheduled to attend bail hearings June 10, 2026, at the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse, located at 59 Church Street in St. Catharines.
Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact the Niagara Regional Police Service’s 2 District Street Crime Unit at 905-688-4111, option 3, extension 1009667.
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 Incidents 26-70519 and 26-70548
