Source (CBC News): http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/james-bay-winter-road-1.3433647
Bootlegging has become a concern for a First Nations grand chief near
James Bay after police recently discovered a vehicle packed with beer
and liquor travelling through a new ice road.
The First Nations of Attawapiskat, Fort Albany, Kashechewan and
Moosonee have become accessible by car during the winter thanks to the
opening of the 300-kilometre ice road, which is only open for a short
time.
Mushkegowuk Council Grand Chief Jonathan Solomon represents the First
Nations along the route and told CBC News controlling the flow of drugs
and alcohol along the route is difficult.
"It's a known thing because you know anybody can come
to Moosonee during the day. They have more access. That's the
unfortunate part of having a winter road. The alcohol ratio goes up,"
Soloman said.
Last week, Nishnawbe-Aski police discovered a vehicle packed with beer and liquor on the winter ice road.
"The only people that really get the good out of this issue are the
bootleggers. They are the ones that pocket the money," Soloman said. "To
me, they don't really care about anybody. All they care about is the
money that's handed over to them. They don't know what they're causing.
Family break ups, assaults, homes being broken into."
While it is now easier to move people and supplies in the area, the road is also challenging to monitor.
Soloman noted the alleged criminals often wait until the early
morning hours to make the trek because there's less traffic on the road.
Police are conducting random spot checks along the route.
Friday 5 February 2016
Tuesday 2 February 2016
Moose Cree/NAPS Aim to Stem Tide of Illegal Drugs
Source: The Daily Pres,
MOOSE FACTORY - An effort is being made to cut off the flow of illegal drugs making its way into Moose Cree First Nation. The
First Nation announced Wednesday it will be spending hundreds of
thousands of dollars of its own money to pay for two additional police
officers and their equipment to begin working in the island community
for the next year to crack down on drug trafficking.
The
additional officers will be sent to Moose Factory from the
Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service (NAPS) but according to the force they
will be regular-duty officers, not drug enforcement officers. Nonetheless, the First Nation and NAPS have signed a Memorandum of
Understanding which underscores “their joint commitment to fight drug
trafficking, and to work together to ensure a safe and healthy
community.”
“Today
is a significant day for our community,” said Moose Cree Chief Norm
Hardisty Jr. said in a statement. “Our people have been clear that they
want steps taken to reduce drug abuse and the trafficking of drugs in
our community. We recognize that drug use is destructive. It is hurting
our children, families and community and we are committed to working
with the Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service to prevent and reduce it to the
greatest extent possible.”
Community
members stated during a recent series of town hall meetings dealing
with local social problems that the prevalent abuse of drugs such as
cocaine within their community was one of their top concerns. It was at that point, the chief and council decided they may need more manpower to bring the drug situation under control.
Moose
Cree Deputy-Chief Earl Cheechoo said drug abuse and addiction in his
community is not all that different than what you would see in Timmins.
However, because of how small and close-knit community is, one person’s
drug problem can affect everyone.
“People
put drugs before their families, before their own well-being, before
their basic needs,” said Cheechoo. “It impacts their kids, the family,
the whole community is affected.”
With
two extra officers on the island reserve, the hope is that it will make
smuggling in and selling drugs much more difficult. Cheechoo said if
there is a significant drop in the amount of drugs, the community will
look at making the new positions permanent.
But
the deputy-chief is sceptical that even two more officers will truly be
able to make a huge impact because of the chronic underfunding that the
Aboriginal police service has been dealing with for many years. It is
something he and the rest of the community leaders want the federal
government to address.
“Right
now we lack the resources to tackle this issue,” said Cheechoo. “OPP
and NAPS are two different types of police forces. In comparison, OPP in
Moosonee (off-reserve) have 15 officers, while NAPS in Moose Factory
(on-reserve) has eight officers. Both places have the same population.
“NAPS
has tried their best to protect this community over the years, but it’s
been hard for them to do it. So the leadership of the Moose Cree have
stepped in to get more resources for our police force.”
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