Wikwemikong Police make major drug seizures
The Wikwemikong Tribal Police Service made two major drug busts recently.
On March 10, members of Wikwemikong Tribal Police Service (WTPS) with assistance from the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) community street crime unit, and UCCM Anishnaabe Police canine unit executed a controlled drugs and substance act warrant at an address on Gasongi Lane in Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory.
As a result of the investigation, police seized a quantity of cocaine and fentanyl with an approximate street value of $10,000, a quantity of cash and other evidence of drug trafficking. An adult male and adult female from Wiikwemkoong have been charged with numerous criminal and drug trafficking related charges: trafficking in a schedule one drug-cocaine and fentanyl, possession for the purpose of trafficking in a schedule one drug-cocaine and fentanyl, possession of property obtained by crime under $ and forcible confinement.
Both accused persons are to appear in court on April 22.
On February 28, officers from the WTPS attended a weapons call at a Wikwemikong Way address. During the course of the investigation police located a quantity of cocaine and fentanyl with a street value of over $35,000, a quantity of cash and other evidence of drug trafficking, resulting in the arrest of a 19-year-old male.
Taylen Wedemire of Brampton is subsequently charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, possession of an opioid for the purpose of trafficking and possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000. He was subsequently held for a bail hearing.
WTPS would like to remind people to report suspicious activity. Please contact the police at 1-888-310-1122 or through Crime Stoppers.
Driver arrested after collision, located by canine unit
One person has been arrested and is facing charges after a single vehicle collision after Manitoulin OPP officers had to pursue the man in a car chase around Espanola, and having to use the canine unit to track the man down after he ditched his vehicle in a ditch and fled on foot.
On February 28 at approximately 2 am, officers with the Manitoulin detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to a report of an unwanted person at a residence in Espanola, who was wanted on an outstanding warrant. When police arrived on scene, they observed a vehicle leaving the address at high speed. The driver of the vehicle then failed to stop for police. Shortly after, police came across a single vehicle collision on Highway 6. The same vehicle was in the ditch, and the driver had fled from the vehicle on foot.
With assistance from the United Chiefs and Councils of Manitoulin Anishinaabe Police Service Commission (UCCM) Canine Unit and the OPP Emergency Response Team (ERT), the driver was located and arrested. The driver was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Police did not provide details on how he was injured or the nature of the injuries.
As a result, Joseph Best, 38 years old from the Town of Northeastern Manitoulin and the Islands (NEMI) was charged with operation while impaired, flight from peace officer, dangerous operation, fail to remain, drive motor vehicle-no licence and driver fail to properly wear seatbelt.
The accused appeared before the Ontario Court of Justice in Sudbury on February 28 and was remanded into custody.
Suspected cocaine seized at ride check
Two people are facing charges after police located suspected cocaine at a reduce impaired driving everywhere (RIDE) check.
On February 25, at approximately 4 am, the Manitoulin detachment of the OPP was conducting a RIDE check on Highway 6 in Espanola. A vehicle came through the RIDE check, and police determined that the driver was wanted on an outstanding warrant. Further investigation resulted in the passenger being arrested.
Additionally, police seized amounts of suspected cocaine with an estimated street value of $12,000 and suspected psilocybin.
As a result, the driver, Jonathon McComber, 42 years old from Little Current, was charged with operation while impaired, possession of a schedule 1 substance for the purpose of trafficking, possession of a schedule III substance, and two counts of driving while under suspension.
The passenger, Dorothy Vallilee, 41 years old from Sudbury, was charged with possession of a schedule 1 substance for the purpose of trafficking cocaine, possession of a schedule III substance.
The accused driver appeared before the Ontario Court of Justice Bail Court in Sudbury on February 25. The accused passenger is scheduled to appear in court in Espanola on April 7.
Traffic stop for speeding results in impaired arrest
One person is facing charges after the Manitoulin OPP conducted a traffic stop.
On March 2 at approximately 1 am, the Manitoulin OPP observed a vehicle travelling at a high rate of speed on Highway 6 near Sunshine Alley Road in the Town of Northeastern Manitoulin and the Islands (NEMI). Police conducted a traffic stop, and further investigation resulted in the driver being arrested for impaired operation.
As a result, the driver, Austin Tabobondung, 25 years old from Parry Sound, was charged with operation while impaired alcohol, operation while impaired-blood alcohol concentration (80 plus), speeding 1-49 kilometres per hour over posted limit, driving motor vehicle with open container of liquor, novice driver and blood alcohol concentration about zero.
The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Gore Bay on April 1.
$61,600 of drugs seized, four people arrested
The Manitoulin detachment of the OPP received information regarding possible drugs and weapons offences occurring at an address in Sables-Spanish Rivers township. The OPP Community Crime Unit (CSCU) launched an investigation with assistance from the East Algoma, Nipissing West, North Bay and West Parry Sound CSCUs.
On March 5, Manitoulin OPP officers initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle involved in the investigation. As a result, the four occupants of the vehicle were arrested. Police then attended an address in Sables-Spanish Rivers to execute a search warrant.
As a result, police seized amounts of suspected fentanyl with an estimated street value of $45,000, amounts of suspected cocaine with an estimated street value of $16,000, amounts of suspected methamphetamine with an estimated street value of $600, a prohibited handgun with an extended magazine, and a tactical vest with a handgun holster.
Adam White, 40 years old from Espanola, and Rosalind Bob, 34 years old from Sables-Spanish River were both charged with possession of a firearm knowing serial number has been tampered with, breach of firearms regulation-transport firearm, possession of a weapon for dangerous purpose, unauthorized possession of a prohibited firearm, knowledge of unauthorized possession of firearm, possession of a prohibited device or ammunition, occupant of motor vehicle knowing there was a firearm, possession of a schedule one substance for the purpose of trafficking-opioid, possession of a schedule one substance for the purpose of trafficking cocaine. Mr. White was also charged with operation while impaired.
Cameron Cardwell, 40 years old from Sudbury, was charged with possession of a firearm knowing serial number has been tampered with, three counts of possession of firearm or ammunition contrary to prohibition order, fail to comply with probation order, breach of firearms regulation-transport firearm, possession of weapon for dangerous purpose, unauthorized possession of a prohibited firearm, knowledge of unauthorized possession of firearm, possession of a prohibited device or ammunition, occupant of motor vehicle knowing there was a firearm, possession of a schedule one substance for the purpose of trafficking-opioid, possession of a schedule one substance for the purpose of trafficking cocaine.
Damon Lanteigne, 35 years old from Sables-Spanish Rivers township, was charged with possession of a firearm knowing serial number has been tampered with, possession of firearm or ammunition contrary to prohibition order, failure to comply with release order-other than to attend court, possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000, breach of firearms regulation-transport firearm, possession of weapon for dangerous purpose, unauthorized possession of a prohibited firearm, knowledge of unauthorized possession of a firearm, possession of a prohibited device or ammunition, occupant of motor vehicle knowing there was a firearm, possession of a schedule one substance for the purpose of trafficking opioid, and possession of a schedule one substance for the purpose of trafficking cocaine.
The four accused remain in custody and were scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Sudbury on March 6.
