As a result of the investigation, NRPS announced two arrests on July 17. Both individuals arrested were from Stoney Creek. Photo Credit: X/Niagara Regional Police Service.
In April 2024, a 45-year-old man was found dead in the Town of Pelham. As has been the case in so many communities across Ontario and Canada, the deceased died of an overdose.
Immediately after the deceased male was found dead on April 11, the Niagara Region Police Service initiated an investigation to try to determine the origin of the illegal substances that killed the victim.
Leading the effort were three District Detectives, working in conjunction with the Opioid Enforcement and Education Unit.
As a result of the investigation, NRPS announced two arrests on July 17. Both individuals arrested were from Stoney Creek.
On July 17, a search warrant permitted NRPS officers to search a vehicle and residence in Stoney Creek. Police found tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of drugs.
Among the drugs seized include 42 patches of Fentanyl, worth a street value of $4,900; 492 Oxycodone pills, worth a street value of $19,680; and $33,900 in cash, presumably from the sale of other drugs.
Radomir Horvath, age 51, and Silvie Horvathova, age 49, are the two Stoney Creek-based individuals facing police charges.
Horvath and Horvathova were both changed with the Possession of Schedule 1 Controlled Substances (Fentanyl and Oxycodone) for the purpose of trafficking, violating section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, and the Possession of Proceeds of Crime Over $5,000, contrary to section 355(1) of the Criminal Code.
Horvath was additionally charged with two counts of the Possession of Proceeds of Crime Under $5,000 contrary to section 355(b) of the Criminal Code.
Horvath was held in custody pending a bail hearing and Horvathova was released from custody on a Promise to Appear.
The OEEU is funded by the provincial government’s Community and Safety Policing Grant. It is a NRPS initiative focused on educating the public about the risks associated with illicit opioid use.
According to Health Canada, there were over 8,000 apparent opioid overdose deaths in Canada in 2023, a seven per cent increase over the year prior. That’s an average of 22 deaths per day across the country. Over 6,000 Canadians were hospitalized due to opioid poisonings in 2023 but ultimately survived.
Seventy-two per cent of all opioid deaths in Canada in 2023 were male, while 29 per cent of all deaths came from the 30-39 years age demographic.
ConnexOntario is a directory of community mental health and addictions services in Ontario. Anyone struggling with addition can connect with help by calling 1-866-531-2600, using an online chat forum or sending an email to ConnexOntario.
Jay Goldberg is the Ontario Director at the Canadian Taxpayers Federation. He previously served as a policy fellow at the Munk School of Public Policy and Global Affairs. Jay holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Toronto.
