Lambton OPP officials allege: A multi-jurisdictional investigation on Walpole Island aimed at stemming the flow of dangerous illegal drugs onto Walpole Island First Nation has led to dozens of arrests and charges, along with a significant seizure of drugs, weapons and cash.
“Project McNulty” began in response to the State of Emergency declared by Walpole Island First Nation in July of 2021, following a concerning rise in illicit drug use and overdose incidents.
On September 29, 2022, officers from Lambton County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Community Street Crimes Unit (CSCU), OPP Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau (OCEB), Chatham-Kent Police Service (CKPS) Intelligence Unit and Walpole Island Police Service (WIPS), executed numerous search warrants on Walpole Island First Nation, Wallaceburg and Chatham-Kent, resulting in the seizure of controlled substances and weapons:
– 30 persons arrested,
– 149 charges laid,
– Over $141,000 in drugs seized, (methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl)
– Over $11,000 in cash seized,
– 13 weapons seized and,
– Over $190,000 in offense related property seized and stolen property recovered.
“The success of this investigation is due to the partnerships built between the policing agencies involved,” Inspector Chris Avery, OPP Lambton Detachment Commander, stated in a media release.
“‘Project McNulty’ could not have been a success without the help of concerned members of the Walpole Island First Nation community.”
Watch the full media conference, held on Tuesday, here:
Representatives from the Ontario Provincial Police, Chatham-Kent Police Service and Walpole Island Police Service are speaking at a media conference to address the conclusion of Project McNulty, a multi-jurisdictional drug investigation. https://t.co/PjosstPUjq
— OPP West Region (@OPP_WR) October 11, 2022
