Local Residents Plead Guilty on Drug Conspiracy Charges

WINDSOR, ON, Nov. 19 /CNW/ - Five persons charged with numerous Controlled Drugs and Substance Act and Criminal Code offences have plead guilty in the Ontario Court of Justice in recent weeks.

The charges stem from a 7 month long joint criminal investigation between the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Windsor Police Services and the Canada Border Services Agency. This investigation addressed the inter-provincial movement of ecstasy, methamphetamine and the proceeds of crime between Western Canada and Ontario.

    
    On October 2nd, 2009; 38 year old Cedric Van DUSEN of Windsor,
    Ontario plead guilty to the following charges:

    -  Conspiracy to Traffic a Controlled Substance (Ecstasy) - 1 year jail
       followed by 3 years probation
    -  Possession of a Prohibited Weapon - 6 months Jail (concurrent)
    -  Breach of Recognizance - 6 months Jail (concurrent).

    On November 17th, 2009 the following persons entered guilty pleas to the
    following charges:

    1) Wisam Bassim BAHJAT, 26 years old of Tecumseh, Ontario
    -  Conspiracy to Traffic Controlled Substance (Ecstasy) - 3 1/2 years
       jail
    -  Possession Proceeds of Crime - 2 years jail (concurrent)
    -  Unsafe Storage of Firearm - 30 days jail (concurrent)
    -  Unsafe Storage of Ammunition - 30 days jail (concurrent);

    2) Matthew Jason MILLS, 26 years old of Windsor, Ontario
    -  Possession of Ecstasy for Purpose of Trafficking - 3 1/2 years jail
    -  Conspiracy to Traffic Ecstasy - 3 1/2 years jail (concurrent)
    -  Breach of Recognizance - 107 days jail (concurrent);

    3) Andrew Allan LENNON, 49 years old of Windsor, Ontario
    -  Possession of Proceeds of Crime - 18 month conditional sentence
    -  Possession of Oxycodone for the Purpose of Trafficking - 18 month
       conditional sentence order (concurrent);

    4) Brandon Thomas SMITH, 27 years old of Windsor, Ontario
    -  Possession of Proceeds of Crime - 18 month conditional sentence.
    

During the investigation, the joint forces team seized approximately 25 kilograms of methamphetamine / ecstasy in tablet form (an estimated 102,000 tablets) valued at $2,040,000.00 , 194 tablets of Oxycodone valued at $5,820.00 , $140,320.00 in US and Canadian currency which was ordered forfeited by the courts as proceeds of crime. Also, seized was a shotgun and two restricted semi-automatic handguns. Investigators also seized numerous vehicles, vehicle parts and electronic devices during the course of the investigation.

"Organized crime hurts individuals in the communities we serve. That is why working with our partners, detecting and deterring organized crime remains our priority" said Sgt. Peter KOERSVELT of the Windsor RCMP Detachment Drug Section. "Those who traffic in illicit drugs destroy lives, homes, and communities. The RCMP remains fully committed to enforcing laws against illicit drugs to their fullest extent."

The charges against the remaining accused are still before the courts.

For further information: Cst. Annette BERNARDON, RCMP Windsor Detachment, Media Relations Officer, [phone] ext. 255 or Sgt. Peter KOERSVELT, RCMP Windsor Drug Section, [phone] ext. 238