51-Year-Old Man Faces Drug Charges Following NAPS Investigation

Source: Net News Ledger
Link: http://www.netnewsledger.com/2020/07/06/51-year-old-man-faces-drug-charges-following-naps-investigation/

Date: July 6, 2020

MOOSE FACTORY – A fifty-one-year-old man from Moose Factory faces a number of serious charges for drug trafficking following an investigation and the execution of a search warrant on July 1, 2020 in the community of Moose Factory.

The Nishnawbe Aski Police (NAPS) Intelligence Unit, the NAPS Drug Enforcement Unit, the NAPS Emergency Response Team, the Moose Factory Uniform Detachment Members, and the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Northeast Region Community Street Crime Unit (CSCU) executed a Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) search warrant in the First Nation community of Moose Factory.

During the search, officers seized a large number of drugs suspected to be Methamphetamine, Cocaine, and Fentanyl.

NAPS Sgt. Jackie George reports that as a result of the investigation, James FARIES, 51 years of age, of Moose Factory First Nation was arrested and charged with the following:

• Possession of a Schedule 1 Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking – Methamphetamine contrary to Sec. 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
• Possession of a Schedule 1 Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking – Cocaine contrary to Sec. 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances
• Possession of a Schedule 1 Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking – Fentanyl contrary to Sec. 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime over $5000 contrary to Sec. 354(1)(a) of the Criminal Code.

FARIES was subsequently released on conditions and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice on September 1, 2020, in Moosonee, Ontario. None of the charges have been proven in court.

Moose Factory First Nation is located approximately 315 km north of Timmins, Ontario.

James Bay Cree First Nation looks to banish drug dealers and alcohol bootleggers

Erik White · CBC News · Posted: Nov 01, 2019 5:30 AM ET | Last Updated: November 1

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/moose-cree-first-nation-banishing-drug-dealers-1.5342090

Moose Cree First Nation is looking at banishing people who sell illegal drugs and alcohol in order to protect the James Bay community from addiction. (Rafferty Baker/CBC)

A northern Ontario First Nation is looking to banish drug dealers and alcohol bootleggers from its community.
Moose Cree First Nation held a membership meeting this week to discuss how criminal traffickers could be kicked out of the isolated community on Moose Factory Island in Ontario's far north.
Chief Mervin Cheechoo says the details of exactly how dealers would be identified and removed still needs to be worked out.

"I think it's well-known who they are, but sometimes it's tough to deal with the situation from a police perspective," he says.
"But I believe with the community support and all the community rallying to deal with this issue, I believe it's going to go somewhere."

Moose Cree Chief Mervin Cheechoo says the First Nation still has to figure out exactly how it will go about banishing drug dealers. (Erik White/CBC )

Cheechoo, who was elected chief three months ago, says drug and alcohol addiction has long been a problem in the community, but he says it's gotten much worse in recent years with the rise of opioids.

"Elders are suffering. There's a lot of elder abuse, violence toward elders and money being taken from them. Children are neglected and hungry and a lot of them are missing school," he says.
"It's real bad here. People are struggling here."
Cheechoo says he knows that it won't be easy to banish drug dealers.

One challenge is that while Moose Cree could kick criminal traffickers off their territory, they don't have control over all of Moose Factory Island, which they share with the Moocreebec First Nation, as well as some private land owners. The dealers could also move across the river to the sister community of Moosonee.

Exactly who is targeted for banishment and whether or not they need to be convicted of criminal charges before that happens is another question that needs to be answered.
"I think the courts will play a big part in it. We're not really fully there with every detail yet," says Cheechoo who does remember a few Moose Cree members being banished in decades past.

First Nation staff will now work to refine the band council resolution that was passed earlier this year and discussed at the membership meeting this week.
Cheechoo says another membership meeting would need to be held to ratify the finished policy, which he thinks can happen within a few months.

"It's a tough decision, but we want a healthy community here," he says.
We've been mandated by our elders, we've been mandated by our grandmothers to deal with this issue."

Local Insight: July 2019 saw a third drug-related stabbing in Moose Factory. That is the third drug-related stabbing in about seven months. The act was carried out likely by a small group of individuals who were owed money from previous drug dealings. The perpetrators were likely sending a message to the victim and others who have drug-related debts. Events such as these create ripple effects throughout the community and may embolden others to similar criminal acts. Hopefully they will embolden others to take stock of the situation and resolve not to get involved in drug-related activity.

NAPS and OPP Make Drug Related Arrests in Moose Factory

Moose Factory, ON –  On June 1, 2019, Nishnawbe Aski Police Service (NAPS) Drug Enforcement Unit with the assistance of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau, NAPS Emergency Response Team, OPP Moosonee Detachment & Marine Unit, and the members of the NAPS Moose Factory Detachment, executed two drug warrants under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act which resulted in two persons being charged and a seizure of several illegal substances.  Another male was also arrested in an unrelated arrest warrant.

The drug warrant execution resulted in police seizing various amounts of Fentanyl, Cocaine, MDMA (Methyl​enedioxy​methamphetamine),Crystal Methamphetamine, Methamphetamine, Oxycodone, and Hydromorphone.  Police also seized approximately eighteen thousand ($18,000.00) dollars in Canadian currency. The estimated street value of the seized drugs is approximately twenty-four thousand nine-hundred eighty ($24,980.00) dollars.

A 24 year-old female from Toronto was charged with Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000.00 and six counts of Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking.  The female was released on conditions and will appear in court on August 6, 2019 in Moosonee, Ontario.

A 38 year-old male from Moose Factory was charged with Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000.00 and six counts of Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking.  The male was released on conditions and will appear in court on August 6, 2019 in Moosonee, Ontario.

A 25 year-old male was found in at the location who was wanted for Robbery by the OPP Orillia Detachment.  The male was turned over to the OPP and remained in custody pending a bail hearing.

http://www.netnewsledger.com/2019/06/04/naps-and-opp-make-drug-related-arrests-in-moose-factory/

Suspects arrested for supplying opiates to James Bay First Nations communities

Published on: September 19, 2018 | Last Updated: September 19, 2018 3:00 PM EDT

Medical patients and their escorts travelling between Southern Ontario and Northern Ontario are responsible for some of the illegal opiates being smuggled into First Nations communities on the James Bay coast, according to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).

Three persons suspected of supplying opiate drugs to James Bay communities have been arrested and charged with several offences said the RCMP on Wednesday

The RCMP said its Serious Organized Crime (SOC) team arrested drug traffickers who had been supplying prescription opiates to Northern communities. The arrests took place on Monday and Tuesday in Kingston, Ontario.

In October 2017, the Mushkegowuk Tribal Council which consists of First Nations in James Bay Region of Northern Ontario declared a state of emergency as a result of rampant opioid use, said the RCMP news release. At the same time, Health Canada requested that the RCMP investigate the trafficking of opiates between Kingston and Northern Ontario communities.

As it turned out, the investigation uncovered a criminal network in Kingston that was involved in illicit drug trafficking to Northern residents.

Police said the drugs were being transported to the area they called the Moose Factory Zone which included Attawapiskat, Fort Albany, Kashechewan, Moose Factory, Moosonee and Peawanuck.

“The drugs were being transported by patients and escorts for the patients arriving in Kingston, Ontario from the Moose Factory Zone (communities listed above) for medical treatment,” said RCMP Sgt. Penny Hermann, a media relations officer with the RCMP’s O Division. She said First Nations patients and escorts would use a medical charter flight that would make a round trip from the remote communities to Kingston daily between Monday to Friday.

Police said this led to the arrest of the following individuals:

Joshua Burtch,  age 31, of Kingston, Ontario, is charged with:

-Trafficking a substance included in Schedule I – contrary to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA);

-Conspiracy to Traffic a substance included in Schedule I – contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada (CCC);

-Possession of Proceeds of Crime – contrary to the CCC.

Pearl Friday, age 40, of Kingston, Ontario, is charged with:

-Trafficking a substance included in Schedule I – contrary to the CDSA;

-Conspiracy to Traffic a substance included in Schedule I – contrary to the CCC;

-Possession of Proceeds of Crime – contrary to the CCC.

Michael Eric Loone (Ashamok), age 48, of Kingston, Ontario, charged with:

-Possession for the purpose of trafficking a substance included in Schedule I – contrary to the CDSA

“The RCMP combats criminal elements that exploit and take advantage of the remote geography of some Indigenous communities. This investigation shows how partnerships are essential in helping to get illicit drugs off of the streets and out of these communities,” stated Superintendent Ivan Verdurmen, RCMP North East District Commander.

Two of the accused persons, Pearl Friday and Eric Ashamok, both live in Kingston but are originally from the James Bay communities said Sgt. Hermann.

Police said all three accused will appear in court at 279 Wellington St, in Kingston, Ontario on October 3rd, 2018.

https://www.timminspress.com/news/local-news/suspects-arrested-for-supplying-opiates-to-james-bay-first-nations-communities

Clearing the Air about Recreational Marijuana (Cannabis) Use

Source: Ontario Medical Association

Mushkegowuk Council Issues State of Emergency Due to Drug Problem in Communities

Source: http://www.mushkegowuk.com/documents/nov2017_prstateofemergency.pdf

Couple accused of dealing cocaine in Moose Cree FN

Monday, February 13, 2017  (Timmins Press)

MOOSE FACTORY - A couple from Moose Cree First Nation have been charged with drug trafficking after police seized cocaine worth a street value of more than $19,200.

Nishnawbe Aski Police Service (NAPS) Moose Factory Detachment members, along with the NAPS Drug Unit and NAPS Emergency Response Team, executed a search warrant under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act at a residence located in Moose Cree First Nation.

As a result of the search, police seized numerous small baggies containing cocaine with a northern street value of $19,280, approximately $2,839 in Canadian currency and one firearm.

John Wesley, 70, of Moose Cree First Nation has been charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime, Possession of a Firearm Contrary to Prohibition Order, and, Resisting Peace Officer.

Lillian Wesley, 67, of Moose Cree First Nation has been charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking, and Possession of Property Obtained by Crime.

Both have been remanded into custody for court in Timmins on Tuesday.

http://www.timminspress.com/2017/02/13/couple-accused-of-dealing-cocaine-in-moose-cree-fn 

Ottawa Gang Members Arrested in Province-Wide Drug Bust

Source: CTV News (Author: Catherine Lathem), May 24, 2016

http://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/mobile/ottawa-gang-members-arrested-in-province-wide-drug-bust-1.2915221

A major drug investigation in northeastern Ontario has resulted in 300 charges and 55 arrests, including nine in the Ottawa area.

“Our investigation led us to believe that the drugs coming from Ottawa were headed for northern communities,” says OPP Superintendent Chris Nicholas, “it’s a huge win for police today and the community to catch these drug dealers.”

Ontario Provincial Police worked with Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service (NAPS) to identify and dismantle drug distribution networks trafficking prescription medications and illicit drugs to communities in northeastern Ontario. Police say the lengthy six-month investigation focused on the Timmins and Chapleau area and James Bay coastal communities [including Moosonee and Moose Factory], noting these drugs typically sell at four times the street price compared to urban centres, like Ottawa, providing considerable profit incentive for criminals to exploit vulnerable residents in Aboriginal communities. Drugs seized in the investigation are worth $833,000 in Ottawa, but have a street value of $2,100,000 in northern Ontario.

“There is a relationship between mental health, addictions and drug use, so I think you can connect the dots on that,” says NAPS Chief Terry Armstrong from the news conference in Timmins, Ontario.

OPP made arrests at homes on Treaty Court and Pineglade Crescent in Ottawa on Thursday May 19, 2016.  In all nine people from Ottawa and Renfrew were arrested.  Police say two of the men arrested, Abel Solano-Santana, 37, and Adnan “Ace” Fazeli, 31, are well-known Ottawa gang members, with long criminal records.

Also arrested:

• Michael Chenier, 31 of Orleans
• Patrick Gallant, 26, of Ottawa
• Christopher Hewitt, 30 of Ottawa
• Holli Kasaboski , 29, of Renfrew
• Michelle Mousseau , 23, of Ottawa

Two young offenders were also arrested.

During the investigation, dubbed “Project COAST”, 21 search warrants were executed, police seized:

• 57,792 methamphetamine tablets,
• 7,229 oxycodone pills,
• 706 grams of cocaine,
• 476.6 grams of marihuana, and
• 154.25 fentanyl patches.

Police also seized more than 252-thousand dollars in Canadian currency, one shotgun and a bulletproof vest.

“Ottawa is where we’re making substantial seizures of fentanyl, the drug is having deadly affects in the country,” says Nicholas.

More than 300 people have died from Fentanyl overdoses since January in Canada. The ingredients to make the drug can be bought legally, through the mail, from China, making it easy for suppliers to manufacture, in sometimes deadly doses.   Former Ottawa Police Chief, now Senator Vern White, has tabled Bill S-225, expected to pass in June, to make it illegal to buy those ingredients from China, and other countries, online.

“It is a continuous battle, but I think we have to continue to fight and try and eliminate the ability for organized crime to be selling fentanyl and other drugs on our streets,” says White.

Dozens Arrested in Drug Network Blamed for Fuelling Crisis in First Nations Communities

Source: National Post (Author: Douglas Quan), May 25, 2016

http://news.nationalpost.com/news/canada/dozens-arrested-in-drug-network-blamed-for-fuelling-crisis-in-first-nations-communities 

Police have arrested 55 individuals and laid more than 300 charges following a joint investigation aimed at disrupting drug distribution networks in northeastern Ontario.

Drugs have been blamed for fuelling a suicide and overdose crisis in Attawapiskat and other remote First Nations communities along the James Bay coast.

Terry Armstrong, chief of the Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service, said Wednesday a joint investigation with the Ontario Provincial Police that began last November determined a lot of prescription medications and illicit drugs were being delivered from Ottawa to Timmins and then into those coastal communities.

Drugs up north are often sold at four times the amount they’re sold in urban centres in the south, making it very lucrative, Armstrong said.

“They’re relying on the North for huge profit margins,” he said.

At the end of a six-month probe, police said they seized roughly 58,000 methamphetamine tablets, 7,200 oxycodone pills, 700 grams of cocaine, 480 grams of marijuana and 150 fentanyl patches. They also took in more than $250,000 in cash, as well as a shotgun and bulletproof vest. 

Most of the arrests occurred in Ottawa, Timmins, Moosonee, Moose Factory and Chapleau. Most charges laid related to trafficking and possession of controlled substances and possession of property obtained by crime.

“When you talk suicide, mental health issues, drug addiction, it’s all linked,” Armstrong said.

At a news conference this week announcing the charges, Nishnawbe-Aski Nation  Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler told reporters the misuse and abuse of drugs was “destroying lives … destroying our families … destroying our communities.”

“The price that our kids are paying is too great — some are paying with their lives,” he said.

Armstrong has repeatedly called for more federal and provincial funding to go after drug dealers. He has only one drug constable across his entire force, which consists of 132 officers.

“We won a major battle. But there will be many more battles,” he said.