The chairwoman of the Ottawa Police Services Board resigned Thursday after her son was arrested on drug charges.
Gail Beck has been at the head of the police force since April last year. She is also chief psychiatrist at Le Royal Mental Health Center in Ottawa. According to the Ottawa Citizen, police cited personal reasons for their resignation.
According to police, his son Timon Beck was arrested in connection with one of the largest cocaine busts in the city's history.
This operation, called “Project Top Shelf,” was launched in February 2023 by the Ottawa Police Serious and Organized Crime Unit and focused on a drug trafficking network operating in Ottawa and Toronto.
So far, five people have been arrested, including three on Thursday, police reported in a press release.
Timon Beck, 37, and Ismail Mohammed, 35, are charged with participating in a criminal organization and conspiracy to traffic cocaine. Sara Staniszewski, 34, was charged with participating in a criminal organization, conspiracy to traffic cocaine and other weapons-related charges.
“Mr. Beck has no criminal record and has never been in court. He is presumed innocent of all charges against him. We look forward to receiving the evidence in this case and defending him against these allegations,” defense attorney Eric Granger told the Ottawa Citizen.
On Wednesday, December 6, an intervention by the Ottawa Police Narcotics Unit resulted in the arrest of Che Esprit, 35, originally of Toronto, and Adrian Esqualit-Gonzalez, 33, originally of Ottawa, and “with the seizure of approximately 100% “. 40 kg of cocaine, 4 kg of crack and loose change, the police called back.
The approximate value of the seizure is $1.5 million, with a black market value estimated at $4.5 million.
Timon Beck was still in custody on Friday and the investigation is ongoing.