A quantity of drugs were seized and three arrests were made after a bust on Walpole Island this week.
Lambton OPP officials allege on Tuesday November 2, 2021 members of the Lambton County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Community Street Team, Emergency Response Team (ERT) and Walpole Island Police Service (WIPS) executed a search warrant at a residence on Tecumseh Road.
As a result of the search, police seized quantities of suspected fentanyl, hydromorphone and methamphetamine as well as packaging materials, digital weigh scales, and $4200 cash, OPP officials allege
A 39-year-old Walpole Island First Nation man has been charged with the following:
– Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of Trafficking (two counts).
A 37-year-old Walpole Island First Nation man has been charged with the following:
– Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of Trafficking and,
– Failure to comply with undertaking.
A 34-year-old Walpole Island First Nation man has been charged with the following:
– Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of Trafficking (two counts),
– Possession of Firearm or Ammunition contrary to Prohibition Order and,
– Failure to comply with undertaking.
The 39-year-old and the 37-year-old have been released from custody and are schedule to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice on December 15, 2021.
The 34-year-old has been held in custody pending a bail hearing.
Walpole island First Nation officials say Chief Charles Sampson and Police Portfolio Councillor Ron Soney have been meeting on a regular basis with the OPP at Lambton Headquarters.
“The purpose of these meetings has been to assess the situation and to develop a strategy to move forward with aggressive action in response to the drug activities on Walpole Island,” Councillor Soney said, in a media release.
Walpole Island officials say collaboration between the First Nation and the OPP stemmed from a community meeting held
with Walpole Island Members, members of Council, and the OPP to address the drug crisis.
The community meeting took place on September 9, 2021 in response to a Declaration of Emergency in July 2021 and community concerns about rapidly rising numbers of drug overdoses over the past two years.
“The community meeting held in September led to today’s action,” said Chief Sampson, in a press release.
“The community established a firm mandate to take definitive action. We have established a working table with the OPP to address the drug problem.”
Further actions will be forthcoming as we gain control over the situation, Walpole Island officials added.
OPP officials say if you have information on this event or any other crime activity in the area, contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or *OPP (677) on your mobile phone.
Your call could make our communities safer for all. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), or submit a tip online at www.sarnialambtoncrimestoppers.org where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.
