JOINT FORCES DRUG UNIT CHARGES 37 PEOPLE WITH 153 OFFENCES

DRYDEN, ON, Nov. 26 /CNW/ - The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau (OCEB), Drug Enforcement Unit and Asset Forfeiture Unit in partnership with the Dryden Police Service, Treaty 3 Police Service and Anishinabek Police Service have charged 37 individuals with 153 drug related offences following early morning arrests in Dryden, Sioux Lookout and Ignace on Thursday November 25, 2010.

The charges stem from a 6 month undercover investigation conducted by the 4 police services.

The undercover investigation focused on drug traffickers operating in and around the communities of Dryden, Sioux Lookout and Ignace.  Undercover officers were successful in infiltrating local drug traffickers and making numerous drug purchases.  The investigation concluded with the execution of 7 search warrants and multiple arrests.

37 individuals have been charged with 153 drug related offences. Drugs purchased and seized during the investigation were 185 grams of cocaine, 6300 grams of marihuana, 2121 Oxycodone tablets.  The street value of the drugs seized is $245,309.00.  Officers also seized $125,000 in Canadian currency and Offence Related Property including several vehicles worth an estimated 70,000.

The complete lists of the accused and charges have are available through the media contact for this release.

The investigation is ongoing.

QUOTE

"The drugs seized by police were destined for the local communities and local First Nations communities.  Taking them off the streets, along with those persons involved in their trafficking will help make our communities safer places to live." - Detective Inspector Tom Girling Deputy-Director for OCEB-North and Program Manager for the OPP Drug Enforcement Unit.

QUICK FACTS

• The OPP Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau (OCEB) engages in proactive, intelligence-led investigations targeting organized crime groups and criminality in Ontario.
  
  
• The OPP Provincial Asset Forfeiture Unit (PAFU) assists with the identification, seizure, restraint and forfeiture of offence-related property and proceeds of crime.  The authority for this legislation is found in the Criminal Code of Canada and specifies that it applies to "any property, benefit or advantage derived from the commission of designated offences."
  
  
• Assets can either be seized as part of police investigations or through a referral made to the Ministry of the Attorney-General's Civil Remedies for Illicit Activities (CRIA) office.

LEARN MORE

For more information on the OPP-led Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau and Provincial Asset Forfeiture Unit go to: www.opp.ca

For further information:

Detective Sergeant Dwain Hill
OPP - OCEB-North
Drug Enforcement Unit, Kenora
Phone: Office 807-467-1427