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.