James Bay Winter Road Bringing Drugs,Aalcohol into First Nations: Grand Chief

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.

Statistics for Drug-related Offences from Nov-Dec 2015 (NAPS in Moose Factory)

Moose Cree/NAPS Aim to Stem Tide of Illegal Drugs

Source: The Daily Pres, Wednesday, January 13, 2016 

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.”

 

MCFN & NAPS MOU - We Understand the Negative Impacts of Drug Trafficking and Abuse

Moose Cree First Nation and the Nishnawbe-Aski Nation Sign Memorandum of Understanding

by Nation Talk on January 12, 2016

The Moose Cree First Nation and the Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to underscore 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. 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 work with the Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service to prevent and reduce it to the greatest extent possible,” stated Chief Norm Hardisty Jr.

The MCFN made the decision to fund two NAPS Officer positions for one year with NAPS providing training and equipment. The two Officer positions will focus specifically on preventing and investigating drug offences. “It is a well-known fact that the NAPS has been under-funded by governments for years. This situation is unacceptable and the Moose Cree First Nation continues to call on both levels of government to address this unfair situation,” said Chief Hardisty. Chief Hardisty indicated that the Moose Cree could not wait any longer for additional officers to deal with the prevalence of drug trafficking in the community and so took the initiative to fund two additional full-time positions.

“I am pleased that our First Nation and NAPS are able to work together in taking a strong stance against drug trafficking. With the support of our community, other First Nations in the region, the Town of Moosonee and NAPS, I believe that we can make a difference in reducing drug abuse in our communities,” stated Deputy Chief Earl Cheechoo. “This is an important step in the right direction and we must remain committed to eradicating this problem for the benefit our children and youth and community as a whole.”

On January 11, 2016, NAPS Chief of Police Terry Armstrong and Northeast Region Inspector Eric Cheechoo, along with Chief Hardisty and the MCFN Council met at the Moose Cree First Nation to participate in a signing ceremony, followed by a feast to recognize the occasion.

Moose Factory Man Arrested for Crack Cocaine Trafficking

Source: Wawatay News

On September 10, 2012, the Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service officers from the Moose Factory Detachment conducted an investigation into an occurrence under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and have subsequently charged a Moose Factory resident.

Police seized approximately thirty-eight thousand five-hundred ($38,500.00) dollars worth of Crack Cocaine. The drugs were intercepted in Moosonee, Ontario and believed the drugs to be destined for Moose Factory.

Forty-two year-old Donald Weapenicappo of Moose Cree First Nation has been charged with Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking. Weapenicappo will be held in custody pending a bail hearing on September, 12, 2012, in Timmins, Ontario.

Link: http://www.wawataynews.ca/archive/all/2012/9/11/moose-cree-man-arrested-crack-cocaine-trafficking_23451

Town Hall Meeting - Moose Factory

A Town Hall meeting in Moose Factory on August 18th highlighted the issue of drug abuse and trafficking in the communities of Moose Factory and Moosonee. Those with addictions should be supported by the community. Addictions are a "symptom" of other past and present issues. Those trafficking the drugs should be dealt with in another manner. Trafficking is a "cause" of other present and future issues. Drugs and trafficking of drugs remains the number one issue of focus at the Town Hall meetings.

Source: Anonymous

THREE ARRESTED FOR POSSESSION OF PROCEEDS OF CRIME

(Moosonee, ON)  On Tuesday, June 2 and Wednesday, June 3, 2015, the Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service Guns & Gangs/Organized Crime Unit, assisted by the NAPS Crime Unit, Canine Unit, and Moose Factory Detachment members, laid charges to three individuals following a drug trafficking investigation.

 

Police investigation was in connection with reported drug trafficking in Moose Factory First Nation and Moosonee, Ontario.  Approximately thirty thousand ($30,000.00) dollars in Canadian Currency was seized from the individuals.

Twenty-one (21) year old Shane BENJAMIN of Toronto, Ontario was charged with Possession of Proceeds Obtained by Crime, Fail to Stop at Scene of Accident, and Breach of Recognizance.

Eighteen (18) year old Elijah PALMER of Toronto, Ontario was charged with Possession of Proceeds Obtained by Crime and Breach of Probation.

Twenty-one (21) year old Abdulraman BANOURI of Regina, Saskatchewan was charged with Possession of Proceeds Obtained by Crime, Fail to Stop at Scene of Accident, and two counts of Breach of Undertaking.

BENJAMIN and PALMER were released on conditions from custody following the charges and will next appear in court on June 8, 2015.

BANOURI is currently still in custody pending the next court date of June 17, 2015.

Moose Cree First Nation is located approximately 630 kilometres north of Timmins, Ontario.

Just the Facts - The evils of ecstasy

Source (RCMP): http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/gazette/vol75no1/facts-faits-eng.htm

MDMA, the chemical drug that’s also known as ecstasy, was synthesized about 70 years ago to be used as an appetite suppressant. It became a hit among partygoers in the 1980s, but now, the brightly coloured pill is sought after by a wide range of users who are drawn to the feelings of euphoria and emotional warmth. But the peace and love drug also has a menacing impact on physical and mental health as well as society.

• Ecstasy is the street name for drugs that include, or are similar to, the drug methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA).
• Since MDMA is produced in clandestine labs, users can never be sure of what they’re buying. Tablets usually include the drug 3, 4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), but can also be laced with methamphetamine, ketamine, cocaine, caffeine and the diet drug ephedrine.
• Its primary dealers and buyers are suburban middle to upper-income teenagers and college students.
• In its original form, MDMA is an oily substance. It’s usually made into brightly coloured pills or capsules that resemble prescription drugs.
• Usually 30 to 45 minutes after MDMA is ingested, users can experience altered perception, anxiety, increased heart rate, psychosis, convulsions and paranoia. These effects can last up to a week after taking the drug.
• MDMA alters normal brain functions, leaving users at risk for depression, impaired memory and panic attacks.
• MDMA causes an increase in body temperature, which can be fatal for those who take it at high-energy, overheated raves or dance parties.
• Safrole, the main precursor in MDMA, is a controlled substance in Canada. Other precursors are not controlled and are imported by Canadian crime groups often from China and India.
• According to North Carolina State University, Safrole is derived from Cambodia’s mreah prov trees, and the high demand for MDMA is leading to severe deforestation.
• The oil extracted from these trees is distilled over fires, which requires huge amounts of firewood from Cambodian forests. Water near these clandestine distilleries also becomes tainted with poisonous and carcinogenic runoff.
• According to the Australian Federal Police, in 2008, more than 900 tonnes of mreah prov timber was illegally cut down by one crime group, which produced 35 tonnes of safrole. The safrole was seized by Cambodian authorities, but had the potential to yield 260 million MDMA tablets worth more than $7.6 billion.
• For every kilogram of MDMA produced, eight kilograms of toxic waste is also produced, which can pollute the local environment.
• According to the National Post, between July 2011 and March 2012, there were 19 MDMA-related deaths in British Columbia and 12 in Alberta.
• Of those 31 deaths, 13 were caused by MDMA that contained paramethoxymethamphetamine — a highly toxic drug that is considered five times more toxic than MDMA itself.
• According to the New York Times, the RCMP seized 5.2 million hits of MDMA in 2006, which was up from 1.1 million in 2004. Seventy per cent of the 2006 seizures were laced with methamphetamine.
• The RCMP’s 2009 Report on the Illicit Drug Situation in Canada states that Canadian-based organized crime groups made enough MDMA to meet the domestic demand. They also provided significant quantities for international markets such as the United States.
• Before 2004, most of the MDMA that was available in Canada was made in the Netherlands. Now, Canada is recognized as one of the main producers of the synthetic drug, with most production, trafficking and exportation happening in British Columbia.

TRAFFIC STOP LEADS TO CRIMINAL CHARGES - MOOSONEE

Ontario Provincial Police News Portal [MOOSONEE] TRAFFIC STOP LEADS TO CRIMINAL CHARGES 2015-06-05 

(MOOSONEE, ON) – In the early hours on June 5, 2015 members of the Moosonee Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were conducted patrols in the area of Ferguson Road when they conducted a traffic stop for a suspected suspended driver.

Shortly after 1:20 am officers conducted a traffic stop which revealed the driver was suspended from driving. The accused was arrested and searched incident to arrest. As a result of this search a quantity of cocaine and fentanyl was discovered.

Terry MANCHESTER (33), of Moosonee, has been charged with the following offences:
- Driving while under suspension contrary to Section 53(1) of the Highway Traffic Act
- Possession of a Schedule I Substance contrary to Section 4(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
- Possession of a Schedule II Substance contrary to Section 4(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

The accused was released on a promise to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Moosonee on August 4, 2015.

Archives Reveal Previous Interactions with Organized Crime

In Stephen Schneider's book (2009), ICED: The Story of Organized Crime in Canada, Schneider points to an police intelligence report that mentions Moosonee: "In 1958, a police intelligence report alleged that McDermott and Feeley [parties to Roseland Veterans' Club in Windsor] went on a hunting party in Moosonee, Ontario, with Detroit mobsters Domenic Corrado, Vincent Meli, and Anthony Tocco. McDermott covered the party's expenses, a bill of around $2,000."