3 OPP officers charged after 18-month drug trafficking investigation

UPDATE | According to the OPP, Jason Redmond wasconvicted in October 2018for trafficking a controlled substance and uttering a forged document.

Three Ontario Provincial Police officers from theLeeds County detachmenthave been charged along with eight other people after an 18-month drug traffickinginvestigation.

• Veteran police officer charged with theft, firearm offences

The charged officers areConst. JasonRedmond, 36, a 10-year member of the OPP, Const.David Volgelzang, 41, a 16-year member of the force,and Const. George Duke, 52, a 20-year member of the force.

They have all been "suspended with payin accordance with the Police Services Act," OPP said in two separatenews releases.

Redmond, of Lyn, Ont., has been charged with three counts of trafficking marijuana, forgery, breach of trust and obstruction of justice. He was released from custody on a promise to appear in court in Brockville on Jan.8.

Volgelzang, ofElizabethtown, has been charged withobstruction of justice. He was released from custody on a promise to appear in court inBrockvilleonJan.8.

Duke, of Brockville, has been charged with theft over $5,000, possession of property obtained by crimeover $5,000, breach of trust, unlawful possession of a restricted firearm, unsafe storage of a firearm, unsafe storage of ammunition, possession of a firearm without a licence and possession of schedule two substance.

He was released on a promise to appear in court in Brockville on Dec. 11.

Cocaine, marijuana,cash seized

Eight others face a range of charges, including trafficking marijuana and cocaine, and possession of the proceeds of crime. A warrant has been issued for the arrest of one of the accused.

Cocaine, marijuana and cash wereseized during the operationaftersearch warrants were executed at seven different locations inYonge Township, five of them on County Road 5 near Mallorytown within a two-minute drive of each other.

The so-called Project Arrowtowninvestigation, which began in May 2014, was a collaboration between OPP, RCMP and Montreal police.

Police said the investigation is ongoing and further charges could be laid.