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.

55 People Charged in Massive Northern Drug Bust - Project COAST

NEWS RELEASE

ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
Those charged include people from Timmins, Ottawa, Chapleau, Moosonee, Moose Factory and Sudbury

*************************

Source: https://www.sootoday.com/local-news/55-people-charged-in-massive-northern-drug-bust-302642

South Porcupine joint investigation halts illegal drug operation

Illegal drugs and prescription meds intercepted

TIMMINS – A multi-jurisdiction drug investigation in northeastern Ontario has resulted in dozens of arrests and more than 300 charges.

In November 2015, the Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service (NAPS) and Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau (OCEB) began a joint investigation to identify and dismantle drug distribution networks trafficking prescription medications and illicit drugs to communities in northeastern Ontario.

The lengthy investigation focussed on the Timmins and Chapleau area and James Bay coastal communities, noting these drugs typically sell at four times the street price compared to urban centres, providing considerable profit incentive for criminals to exploit vulnerable residents in Aboriginal communities.

At a news conference in Timmins today, NAPS Chief Terry Armstrong, OPP Deputy Commissioner Rick Barnum, Timmins Police Chief John Gauthier and Anishinabek Police Service Deputy Chief Dave Whitlow unveiled details of the investigation and displayed samples of the evidence seized during the six-month probe.

They were joined by Nishnawbe-Aski Nation leaders who provided insight into the challenges and devastating impacts illegal drugs and misuse of prescription medications have had on their citizens.

During Project COAST, 21 search warrants were executed earlier this month at locations in northern and eastern Ontario. Police seized:

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

Police also seized more than 252-thousand dollars in Canadian currency, one shotgun and a bulletproof vest. As a result, 55 people have been charged with 341 offences under the Controlled Drug and Substances Act (CDSA) and the Criminal Code of Canada. (See ADDENDUM OF CHARGED PERSONS.)

Several of the accused persons will appear at Ontario Courts of Justice at various times, dates and locations. The investigation continues.

QUOTES

“The trafficking of illegal and prescription drugs brings an element of society into our communities that engage in further criminal behaviours to protect their enterprises. By working collaboratively with our police partners and mobilizing community leaders, the individuals who target our people have been arrested and charged as we tackle several challenging issues.” – Chief Terry ARMSTRONG, Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service.

“Project COAST demonstrates that the OPP will do whatever it takes to support our police and Aboriginal community partners to support the wellness of our most vulnerable communities and prevent further harm and victimization.” – Commissioner J.V.N. (Vince)HAWKES, Ontario Provincial Police.

The Ontario Provincial Police Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau (OCEB) has a mandate to work with its partners to facilitate the disruption and suppression of criminal enterprises, which affects the citizens of Ontario. OCEB provides members and operational support to investigations on a provincial, national, and international level, working in cooperation with law enforcement agencies from around the world.

UNODC - Facts for Policy Makers (Drug Use Vulnerabilities)

Source: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
Link: https://www.unodc.org/listenfirst/en/policy-makers/policy-makers-en.html
Important information for community awareness building and policy decision-making.

A Picture Speaks a Thousand Words...

Source: Anonymous
Photo taken outside Quick Stop on Moose Factory Island. Other posters have been put up recently by elementary school students.