Latest news with #illicitdrugs
CTV News
6 days ago
- CTV News
Traffic stop near airport uncovers ‘significant' amount of suspected drugs, imitation firearm
Police said an investigation following a traffic stop in Woolwich Township led to the seizure of an imitation firearm—believed to be an Airsoft handgun—and a "significant quantity" of suspected illicit drugs. (WRPS) Waterloo Regional Police have arrested a 31-year-old Kitchener man wanted on an outstanding warrant and laid additional charges following a traffic stop in Woolwich Township. At approximately 8 p.m. Friday, officers conducted the stop near the Waterloo Regional Airport. The passenger of the vehicle was taken into custody on an outstanding warrant for criminal harassment and two counts of breach of probation. Police said a subsequent investigation led to the seizure of an imitation firearm—believed to be an Airsoft handgun—and a 'significant quantity' of suspected illicit drugs. As a result, the man is now facing additional charges, including possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking, and breach of probation.
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Illicit drugs are getting into Yukon's only fly-in community. Officials say there's little they can do
The Yukon government says that stopping illicit drugs from reaching the remote, fly-in community of Old Crow is an urgent issue — but government and regulatory officials also say they have limited authority to do much about it. The Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation issued a public notice earlier this summer warning Old Crow residents that tainted drugs may have made their way into the community, and urging anybody using illicit drugs to carry naloxone and to not use alone. It followed a letter sent earlier this year from a territorial government minister to Yukon's MP, describing the flow of illicit drugs into Old Crow as an "urgent" and "pressing" issue that somehow needs to be addressed. CBC News sent the Vuntut Gwitchin Government — which declared a substance use emergency in Old Crow two years ago — multiple requests for an interview, but the First Nation said it had nothing to say "beyond what has already been shared publicly." Meanwhile Annie Blake, the NDP MLA for Vuntut Gwitchin, says drugs have had devastating impacts on her community and she wants more done to address the issue. "We've lost so many of our community members," said Blake. "And we continue to see so many people struggling." She says impacts are compounded by the community's size and isolation. "We see things very openly and deeply with each other, and when people are struggling, everyone feels it." Blake, who has spoken openly in the past about her own struggles with substance use, says a toxic drug supply can have particularly devastating impacts in Old Crow. "For the most part, a lot of people who use, use in groups. It's a safety mechanism. But if there's a toxic drug supply, it's a huge risk factor. It's quite scary." She says she visits with people who are raising their grandchildren because the children's parents struggle with substance use issues, or have died due to overdose. Blake said they are frustrated by the lack of attention to the issue. "What are we doing to support the children who've lost their parents? The grandparents raising their grandkids? What grief supports are we investing in? What mental health services are available?" Blake asked. "These are the questions I keep hearing in the homes I visit." Jurisdictional gaps, limited enforcement In a January letter to Yukon MP Brendan Hanley, obtained by CBC News, the territory's highways and public works minister described some of the challenges to stemming the flow of illicit drugs into Old Crow. Minister Nils Clarke wrote that those challenges include the fact that "there is no federal or territorial law that would authorize the RCMP to search all mail or baggage arriving in Old Crow." Yukon RCMP told CBC News in an email that random dog searches at an airport would violate Section 8 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which protects against unreasonable search or seizure. To use a sniffer-dog team at an airport, the RCMP says there would have to be "reasonable suspicion" that an offence had been committed. Larger airports around the country rely on the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA), which was created after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in New York, to screen passengers and baggage. But Clarke points out that in Yukon, CATSA only operates out of Erik Nielsen Airport in Whitehorse, and not the airports in Dawson City or Inuvik, N.W.T. — the two aerodromes with direct flights to Old Crow. "Passengers and goods flying to Old Crow are not screened by CATSA, as they do not go through our screening checkpoints prior to boarding the aircraft," said CATSA spokesperson Dominique Huras in an email to CBC News. Clarke's letter says even if CATSA did provide security, searching for drugs is not part of its mandate. He wrote that in conversations his office had with federal authorities, it became clear that CATSA "specifically targets threats to safety of civil aviation," but does not screen for "community contraband." Transport Canada, which regulates CATSA, told CBC News in a statement that the authority screens for "prohibited items that could potentially pose a threat to aviation security," and provided a link to a full list of items banned from flights, including weapons and incendiary devices. It is a criminal offence to carry illicit drugs in checked or carry-on baggage on any flight, and CATSA told CBC News that when illegal drugs are "inadvertently discovered during screening, local police are advised." 'How are we supporting those who are already struggling?' Blake says some residents in Old Crow want to see more RCMP presence at the airport and tighter security on flights to the community. She also says some people would like to see more local drug enforcement in Old Crow. "We only have two RCMP officers, so some people talk about the need to have more presence in the community," she said. However, Blake also said it's clear that enforcement on its own isn't the answer. "People also ask, how are we supporting those who are already struggling? Where are the harm reduction services, the health care, the safety checks, the nutrition? Why is there no regular programming like men's groups or women's groups? Why aren't there workshops to help people understand how to access Yukon government supports?" Blake asked. She said conversations are happening between the Vuntut Gwitchin, territorial and federal government agencies, as well as funding initiatives and programming. MP Brendan Hanley also said "we have to talk about the bigger picture." He went on to list mental health supports for youth and adults, harm reduction services for those using drugs, treatment options in community, including land-based healing, and post-rehabilitation aftercare as resources that could help turn the tide. Hanley said "there is no one clear defined pathway" for addressing the issue, but that any solution will require collaboration between the Vuntut Gwitchin government, the Yukon and federal governments, RCMP, and Air North, the airline that serves Old Crow. He also suggested the territorial government has a role to play "as the operator of all public airports in the Yukon." Neither the territorial, federal, or Vuntut Gwitchin government would provide specifics on what actions or meetings are currently taking place to address the issue. The First Nation has said that safer-use supplies are available at the Old Crow Health and Wellness Centre.
CTV News
17-07-2025
- CTV News
Rocky View County man charged after RCMP recover more than 300K worth of stolen property, illicit drugs
RCMP officers seized illicit drugs and over $300,000 of stolen property when they executed a search warrant on Tuesday. A Rocky View man faces multiple charges after RCMP recovered over $300,000 in stolen property from his residence. On July 15, Cochrane RCMP officers executed a search warrant at a rural property in Rocky View County. They recovered stolen property believed to be worth more than $300,000 and seized illegal drugs following an investigation that was launched after receiving a tip from the RCMP Auto Theft Unit. Recovered property includes a 2023 Dodge Ram pickup truck, a 2013 Triumph Thruxton 900 motorcycle, a holiday and utility trailer and two high-value aesthetic laser devices, that were stolen during a break-and-enter in Calgary in 2024 and have an estimated value of more than $300,000. Police also seized more than 100 grams of suspected methamphetamine and MDMA. A 64-year-old Rocky View man was charged with two counts of possession of stolen property over $5,000, three counts of possession of a forged document, three counts of fraud, three counts of altering a vehicle identification number and two counts of possession of a controlled substance. Following a bail hearing, the man was released from custody with conditions. He's scheduled to appear in court in Cochrane on Aug. 18. 'This investigation is a great example of how collaboration between specialized RCMP units leads to meaningful results,' said Cochrane RCMP detachment commander Insp. Dave Brunner, in a media release. 'Property crime has a real impact on our communities,' he added, 'and our members are committed to identifying prolific offenders and holding them accountable.'
SBS Australia
16-07-2025
- SBS Australia
Vapes: Australia's second-largest illicit drug market despite crackdown
Vapes: Australia's second-largest illicit drug market despite crackdown Published 16 July 2025, 9:15 am The federal government believes dangerous vaping rates among younger people may have turned a corner following years of rapid growth. But critics say the government's policy is doing more harm than good by creating an unregulated tobacco market and making way for organised crime to prosper.
Malay Mail
12-07-2025
- Health
- Malay Mail
Health Ministry, police ramp up crackdown on drug-laced vape sales, 96 cases under investigation, says deputy minister
KULAI, July 12 — The Ministry of Health (MOH) will step up cooperation with the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) to combat the rising sale of vape products containing illicit drugs. Deputy Health Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni said 96 investigation papers involving drug-laced vape liquids were recorded between early last year and March, with over 70 per cent testing positive for synthetic cannabinoids and amphetamines. 'We are collaborating more closely with the police while stepping up laboratory inspections to test suspicious samples,' he said after officiating a joint event for World No Tobacco Day and World Tuberculosis Day at IOI Mall here today. The ministry also plans to tighten oversight at the manufacturing and production stages to detect illegal substances at the source, he added. Present at the event were Johor Health and Environment Committee chairman Ling Tian Soon and Johor Health Department director Dr Mohtar Pungut @ Ahmad. Lukanisman said authorities are still identifying those responsible for producing drug-laced vape products. 'We haven't determined the source or manufacturers involved. Investigations are ongoing before any enforcement action is taken under existing laws, including those under police jurisdiction,' he said. In May, the ministry set up a special committee to monitor the issue, with Deputy Director-General of Health (Public Health) Dr Ismuni Bohari noting a review of existing laws is underway. This includes the newly gazetted Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852). — Bernama
