Niagara Regional Police Say Ernest Stillwell, 43, of Port Colborne Faces Six Charges and Olivia Morgante, 36, of Fort Erie Faces Four After Suspected Fentanyl and Cocaine Valued at $119,680, a Replica Handgun and an Extendable Baton Are Seized in Welland and Fort Erie (November 5, 2026)

A man and a woman face drug trafficking and weapons charges after a Niagara Regional Police Service investigation, police said on Thursday, November 5, 2026. Police say the 2 District Street Crime Unit began the investigation in November, with detectives from the Opioid Enforcement and Education Unit assisting, and that the two suspects were arrested on Wednesday, November 4 at a business on Crowland Avenue in Welland. Police say a residence on Grayson Avenue in Fort Erie was searched under a judicial authorization. They report seizing about 201.4 grams of suspected fentanyl and about 995.4 grams of suspected cocaine, which they put at a combined street value of $119,680, along with a replica handgun, an extendable baton and cash.

Legal status: Faces charges. The allegations have not been tested in court and both accused are presumed innocent. Police say Ernest Stillwell remains in custody with a bail hearing on Thursday, November 5, and that Olivia Morgante was released on an undertaking with a future court date.

The Two Accused

Police say Ernest Stillwell, 43, of Port Colborne faces six charges: two counts of possession of cocaine and fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking, possession of proceeds obtained by crime over $5,000, unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted weapon, possession of a weapon contrary to a prohibition order, and failure to comply with a probation order. He remains in custody, and his bail hearing was set for Thursday at the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse in St. Catharines.

Police say Olivia Morgante, 36, of Fort Erie faces four charges: two counts of possession of cocaine and fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking, possession of proceeds obtained by crime over $5,000, and unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted weapon. She was released on an undertaking with a future court date.

What Was Seized

Police list about 201.4 grams of suspected fentanyl with a street value of $20,140, and about 995.4 grams of suspected cocaine with a street value of $99,540. Those two figures make up the $119,680 total, which is police’s own street-value estimate for the drugs rather than a total for everything seized. Also seized, police say, were $11,100 in Canadian currency and US$350, an extendable baton and a replica handgun.

Welland and Fort Erie

Police say the arrests happened at a business on Crowland Avenue in Welland, and that a judicial authorization was sought and granted for a residence on Grayson Avenue in Fort Erie, which was then searched. The investigation was run by the 2 District Street Crime Unit with help from Opioid Enforcement and Education Unit detectives.

How Niagara Police Ask for Information

Police ask anyone with information about the investigation to call 905-688-4111, option 3, extension 1008915. Anonymous tips can go to 289-248-1058.

Ernest Stillwell and Olivia Morgante are presumed innocent, and none of the charges has been tested in court. The allegations are those of the Niagara Regional Police Service.