Drug Bust in Markdale Leads to Five Arrests & Seizure of Fentanyl, Cocaine, Weapons
OPP raid in Markdale uncovers fentanyl, cocaine, weapons, and $30,000 in suspected stolen goods. Five people face drug trafficking and weapons charges.
A months-long drug trafficking investigation in Markdale has resulted in five arrests and the seizure of multiple illegal substances, weapons, and tens of thousands of dollars in suspected stolen property, according to Ontario Provincial Police.
Acting on information gathered over several months in 2025, Grey Bruce OPP executed a search warrant on the morning of January 16, 2026, at a residence on Wellington Street in the Municipality of Grey Highlands.
The search was carried out at 5:42 a.m. by members of the OPP’s Tactics and Rescue Unit (TRU), Emergency Response Team (ERT), and Canine Unit. Several individuals inside the residence were arrested without incident.
During the search, officers from the Grey Bruce Community Street Crime Unit—supported by counterparts from Huron Perth and Wellington—seized what police estimate to be $15,000 worth of illicit drugs.
Roughly $3,000 in Canadian currency was also seized, along with approximately $30,000 in suspected stolen property. A number of prohibited weapons were also recovered.
Among the drugs seized:
77 grams of suspected fentanyl
40 grams of suspected cocaine
29 grams of suspected methamphetamine
Multiple ecstasy pills
Multiple 5 mg oxycodone pills
Multiple clonazepam pills
The following individuals face a range of drug trafficking, weapons, and property-related charges:
Christopher Sanderson, 48, of Markdale, faces ten charges under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) and Criminal Code, including multiple counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking (fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, oxycodone, clonazepam), possession of a prohibited weapon (three counts), possession of property obtained by crime, failure to comply with a probation order, and possession of break-in instruments.
Katelyn Rill, 30, of Hanover, faces similar charges to Sanderson, including five counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking, three counts of possession of a prohibited weapon, and two counts related to possession of stolen property and break-in tools.
Jason Lembke, 52, of Markdale, has been charged with possession of fentanyl and cocaine, possession of a prohibited weapon, possession of property obtained by crime (over and under $5,000), and possession of ammunition contrary to a prohibition order.
Daniel Shpak, 45, of Markdale, faces charges of possession of fentanyl, cocaine, and ecstasy, three counts of possession of a prohibited weapon, and two counts of possession of stolen property.
Serena Griffith, 32, of Markdale, faces the same charges as Shpak.
All five individuals appeared for bail hearings at the Ontario Court of Justice in Owen Sound on January 16. Griffith was released the same day, Rill was released on January 20, and Lembke was released on January 22. Sanderson and Shpak remain in custody as of publication.
The OPP has not disclosed what led to the investigation being launched in the fall or whether further arrests are anticipated. They have also not detailed the nature of the suspected stolen property recovered during the search.
Anyone with additional information related to this investigation is asked to contact Grey County OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.cstip.ca, where tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000.
Related:
