Vehicle stop yields loaded 9mm handgun, cocaine and cash
UCCM Anishnaabe Police Service (UCCM APS) frontline officers seized a loaded 9-millimeter handgun, a substantial amount of suspected cocaine as well as cash.
On March 21 at approximately 1:45 am, the UCCM APS uniform members conducted a vehicle stop at an apartment complex on the M’Chigeeng First Nation. The driver, who was known to police was immediately arrested for suspended driving. During the arrest, the driver failed to comply with police demands and resisted the arrest. Once the officers had secured the prisoner in the police vehicle, a search of the car was conducted. Incident to the arrest officers located a loaded 9MM handgun in plain view on the passenger seat of the vehicle. Upon further search of the vehicle, approximately 89 grams of suspected cocaine, 8 grams of suspected crack cocaine, 9MM ammunition and $1,700 in Canadian Currency was seized.
A 55-year-old man from M’Chigeeng has been charged with offences related to possession of the handgun, possession of the cocaine and several driving offences. The accused has been held in custody pending a bail hearing.
Command Staff of the UCCM Police Service wants to ensure the public that our frontline officers remain dedicated to the safety and security of our community members and elders. We rely on the positive relationships and trust within our communities to ensure public safety in our daily policing duties.
If anyone has further information regarding any criminal activity, drug trafficking and/or organized crime, please contact UCCM Police at 705-377-7135 or Sudbury Rainbow Crime Stoppers at 705-222- TIPS (8477) or 1-800- 222-TIPS (8477) or submit an online tip at www.sudburycrimestoppers.com Together we can make a difference.
Several weapons and imitation firearms seized in warrant
Following information provided by concerned citizens of M’Chigeeng First Nation, the UCCM Anishnaabe Police Service (UCCM APS) obtained a warrant to search a residence in M’Chigeeng for weapons and firearms.
On March 18, UCCM APS uniform officers, crime unit detectives and the UCCM APS canine unit executed the warrant without incident. As a result of the search, officers seized the following items: 20 imitation firearms believed to be pellet and BB guns, two collapsible batons, 10 smoke grenades and one sword.
A 21-year-old M’Chigeeng man has been charged with possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, contrary to Section 88 of the Criminal Code of Canada (CCC).
“UCCM APS emphasizes the importance of community cooperation in maintaining public safety. Information from citizens, whether provided through official statements, confidential informants, or Crime Stoppers tips is essential for effective law enforcement,” said Police Chief James Killeen. “Police rely on the public’s assistance to identify and address criminal activity. As the saying goes, ‘The public are the police, and the police are the public.’ Community members play a crucial role in ensuring a safer environment by reporting suspicious or concerning behaviour.”
It is also important to note that many of the seized weapons, despite being replicas, posed a significant threat to public and officer safety. Imitation firearms are often indistinguishable from real weapons and will be treated as such until confirmed otherwise.
The identity of the accused will not be disclosed until official charges are filed with the Ontario Court of Justice, continued Chief of Police Killeen. As per legal standards, the individual is considered innocent until proven guilty.
“Community safety is a collaborative effort with our communities. UCCM Anishnaabe Police Service would like to remind the public that we need to work together to ensure the safety, protection and overall health and wellness of our communities,” said Chief of Police Killeen. “We need your help, your information, and your assistance to affect change. Drug trafficking invites residual and lateral violence into your communities, such as home invasions, serious assaults, and homicides, and leads to the erosion of our communities through addiction, homelessness and overdose deaths. We need to speak directly with the people who have the information that we require to ensure the safety and protection of our communities. Remember, information is best protected and utilized when the police can receive the information firsthand.”
“The UCCM Anishnaabe Police Service, OPP Community Street Crime Unit and Wikwemikong Tribal Police Service remain committed to working collaboratively and will continue to focus its efforts on major crime operations that pose a direct and elevated threat to the safety, security and wellness of our communities. This combined integrated street crime unit is a joint force operation and aims to identify and disrupt organized crime on Manitoulin Island through innovative technology, collaborative partnerships and traditional police work resulting in the arrests of those involved, holding them accountable for their criminal activities and the seizure of illegal drugs, prohibited firearms and proceeds of crime.”
If anyone has further information regarding any criminal activity, drug trafficking and/or organized crime, please contact UCCM Police at 705-377-7135 or Sudbury Rainbow Crime Stoppers at 705-222-TIPS (8477) or 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or submit an online tip at www.sudburycrimestoppers.com Together we can make a difference.
Joint RIDE check results in $49,650 of drugs seized
Two people are facing charges after a reduce impaired driver everywhere (RIDE) check resulted in police locating suspected drugs.
On March 21, at approximately 12 am, officers with the Manitoulin detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) alongside the UCCM Police Service Canine Unit, conducted a RIDE check at the Little Current Swing Bridge on Meredith Street. A vehicle came through the check and police initiated an investigation. With assistance from UCCM Police Service Dog (PSD) Ben and his handler, police located suspected drugs and the driver and passenger were arrested.
As a result, police seized an amount of suspected cocaine with an estimated street value of $49,000, an amount of suspected crack cocaine with an estimated street value of $650, approximately $450 in Canadian currency, and an axe.
The driver, Ashley Jacko-Metansinine, 31, and the passenger, Elizabeth Shawanda, 26, both from Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory (WUT) were charged with possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, possession of a schedule one substance-other drugs, possession of a schedule one substance-opioid and possession of a schedule one substance for the purpose of trafficking cocaine. Ms. Metansinine was also charged two counts failure to comply with release order, operate motor vehicle without insurance, having care or control of a motor vehicle with open container of liquor, drive motor vehicle no licence and drive motor vehicle-not equipped with ignition interlock device. Mr. Shawanda also received a charge of possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime under $5,000.
Both accused were scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice on March 21.
“Through ongoing enforcement initiatives in conjunction with our Indigenous policing partners, we are making significant strides in taking illicit drugs out of our communities. These partnerships enhance our ability to effectively police the communities we serve and our crucial to achieving public safety,” said Inspector Robert Walsh, commander Manitoulin OPP detachment.
Island man charged with firearms offences in West Nipissing
Police have arrested and charged a Manitoulin Island man with firearms offences in West Nipissing.
On March 19, at approximately 12:45 pm, the Nipissing West detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to a person brandishing a firearm on Highway 17, West Nipissing.
There were no injuries reported when police located the individual and effected a gun point arrest, in which time two air handguns were seized. The individual was transported by emergency medical services to the local hospital on a previous injury sustained by the individual prior to the arrival of the police.
As a result of the investigation, Peter Jacko, 34, from Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory was charged with pointing a firearm, imitation firearm-use while committing offence, carrying concealed weapon, unauthorized possession of a firearm, possession of weapon for dangerous purpose, two counts of failure to comply with release order-other than to attend court, knowledge of unauthorized possession of weapon and possession of firearm or ammunition contrary to prohibition order.
The accused was held for bail court and was scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice on March 20 in North Bay.
RIDE check on Highway 17 results in four people arrested
Police seized suspected drugs and arrested four people at a RIDE check in Espanola.
On March 18 at approximately 1 am, officers with the Manitoulin detachment of the OPP were conducting a RIDE check on Highway 17 in Baldwin township. A vehicle came through the RIDE, and officers detected an odour of cannabis emanating from the vehicle. Further investigation resulted in the four occupants being arrested.
Additionally, police seized an amount of suspected fentanyl with an estimated street value of $11,700, an amount of suspected cocaine with an estimated street value of $3,700, and an amount of suspected crack cocaine with an estimated street value of $15.
As a result, the driver, Cody Shawbonquit, 33, from Atikameksheng Fist Nation was charged with possession of two schedule one substances, opioid and cocaine, obstruct peace officer, failure to comply with release order-other than to attend court, operation while prohibited under the criminal code, personation with intent to avoid arrest, prosecution or obstruct justice, drive vehicle with cannabis readily available, driving while under suspension.
A passenger in the vehicle, Summer Bennett-Peltier, 28, from Sagamok Anishnawbek First Nation was charged with: possession of two schedule one substances-opioid and cocaine, permit unlicenced person to drive motor vehicle.
A second passenger, Clement Sinobert, 39, from Elliot Lake was charged with possession of two schedule one substances, opioid and cocaine, obstruct peace officer and personation with intent to avoid arrest, prosecution or obstruct justice.
The third passenger, Mercedes Toulouse, 31, from Sagamok Anishnabek First Nation, was charged with two counts of possession of a schedule one substance, opioid and cocaine, obstruct peace officer and personation with intent to avoid arrest, prosecution or obstruct justice.
The driver appeared before the Ontario Court of Justice bail court in Sudbury on March 18, and was remanded into custody. The three passengers are scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Espanola on April 7.
Collision involving snowmobile results in impaired arrest
One person is facing impaired related charges after a snowmobile collision on Killarney Bay in Killarney.
On March 14 at approximately 6 pm, the Manitoulin OPP received a report of a single vehicle collision involving a snowmobile on Killarney Bay. Manitoulin-Sudbury Paramedic Services transported the driver to the nearest hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. As a result of further investigation, with assistance from the Sudbury OPP, the driver was arrested for impaired operation.
As a result, the driver, Brady Bejczak, 21, from Sudbury, was charged with operation while impaired alcohol, operation while impaired-blood alcohol concentration (80 plus).
The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Espanola on May 5.
