5 arrested, $45K in drugs seized in Manitoulin Island raid

CTV News

9 hours ago

UCCM police seized more than 160 grams of cocaine, crack and fentanyl with an estimated street value of more than $45,000 from a residence in M'Chigeeng.
Loading the player instance is taking more time than usual
Loading the player instance is taking more time than usual
A joint operation between the UCCM Anishnaabe Police and the Ontario Provincial Police has resulted in a significant drug seizure and multiple arrests in M'Chigeeng First Nation.
UCCM Anishnaabe Police vehicle
An undated photo of an UCCM Anishnaabe Police vehicle. (File photo/Supplied/UCCM Anishnaabe Police)
On Friday, officers with UCCM police's crime and canine units, alongside frontline officers from the Indigenous police service and OPP, executed a search warrant at a residence on 40 Johnny's Park Drive following reports of drug trafficking in the community.
Police seized 163 grams of cocaine, 18 grams of crack cocaine, and 66 grams of fentanyl, with an estimated total street value of $45,234.
Five individuals were arrested without incident:
A 23-year-old from M'Chigeeng First Nation, charged with two counts of drug trafficking and failing to comply with a release order.
A 28-year-old from Little Current, charged with two counts of drug trafficking.
A 30-year-old from M'Chigeeng First Nation, also charged with two counts of drug trafficking.
A 20-year-old from Sudbury, charged with two counts of drug trafficking and failing to comply with a probation order.
A 26-year-old from North York, charged with two counts of drug trafficking and possession of property obtained by crime.
UCCM Police Chief James Killeen confirmed the details in a news release on June 27.
UCCM Anishnaabe Police crest
The United Chiefs and Councils of Manitoulin Anishnaabe Police crest on the sleeve of Chief of Police James Killeen during a press conference in Ottawa on June 12, 2023. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press)
The joint effort
UCCM police, OPP and Wikwemikong Tribal Police operate a combined Integrated Street Crime Unit targeting organized crime on Manitoulin Island, focused on seizing illegal drugs, firearms, and proceeds of crime.
Authorities urged community collaboration to combat drug trafficking and related violence, highlighting its ties to 'home invasions, serious assaults, and homicides,' as well as addiction and homelessness.
Anyone with information about any criminal activity in the region is asked to contact UCCM Police at 705-377-7135 or Crime Stoppers anonymously.
'Together we can make a difference,' police said.