Police charge 9 in drug busts across southwestern Ontario First Nations communities

Police have charged nine people, including a London man, in a string of drug busts inFirst Nations communities across southwestern Ontario.

A series of warrants were executed in March by members of the Elgin-Middlesex OPP and other First Nations police services in joint investigations.

Oneida First Nation of the Thames, Chippewas of the Thames First Nation, Munsee-Delaware First Nation and Walpole Island First Nation police services were all involved.

The raids happenedbetween March 10 and 30.

March 10

On March 10, OPP and Oneida Nation of the Thames police searched an address along Bodkin Road in Oneida.

Police seized marijuana, cocaineand narcotics including oxycodone and hydromorphone. They also seized semi-automatic firearms and stolen vehicles

Police charged a 30-year-old community member with two counts of possessing a weapon and one count each for possessing a drug for trafficking and possessing drugs under 3 kg.

March 18

On March 18, OPP and Chippewas of the Thames First Nation police searched an address along Three Fires Road in Chippewa.

There, police arrested two men and one woman who were members of the community.

Each of the suspects face 26 charges related to possessing weapons and possessing drugs for trafficking.

Police say they also recovered six stolen vehicles and one trailer.

March 27

On March 27, both units returned to the community to search a property along Melbourne Road.

Police charged a 43-year-old London man in the community with a string of drug-related offences including public mischief, possessing stolen property and seven counts of possessing drugs for the purpose of trafficking.

March 30

On March 30, members of the OPP, Oneida Nation of the Thames First Nation, Chippewas of the Thames First Nation and Walpole Island First nation executed a raid at an address along Hazel Road in Oneida.

As a result of the investigation, police arrested four people from the community aged 23, 29, 29 and 46.

They were charged with a slew of offences including the trafficking of cocaine including other drugs.

As a result of that collaboration, police also seized narcotics and weapons including:

• More than 190 grams of powder and crack cocaine.
• More than 5,000 grams of hashish and cannabis including resin and shatter.
• Oxycodone and Hydromorphone tablets.
• 14 weapons including nunchakus.
• Two semi-automatic rifles and three firearms.
• Six stolen vehicles.

Investigations are ongoing.