A significant amount of controlled substances and weapons were seized between Jan. 26 and 29 after M'Chigeeng First Nation declared a state of emergency in relation to opioids, community safety, mental health and violence, states a news release issued by Ontario Provincial Police.
Police in the area launched a joint operation, Project Hewson, executing warrants on Manitoulin Island and in Sudbury, resulting in a total of 12 arrests and 107 charges so far.
The people arrested are from Espanola, Manitoulin Island, Massey, Sudbury, Scarborough and Windsor with Victor Branco of Sudbury facing 27 charges and Kirstan Panamick of M'Chigeeng facing 28.
The trafficking investigation was led by the Tri-Force Drug Enforcement Team (TFDET), consisting of members from the UCCM APS, Wikwemikong Tribal Police (WTP) and the Manitoulin Detachment CSCU.
It resulted in the seizure of:
- 721 grams suspected fentanyl
- 880 grams suspected cocaine
- 196 hydromorphone tablets
- 3 grams methamphetamine
- 48 Percocet tablets
- $11,335 CAD currency
- Two handguns
- Bat
The collaborative investigation took 10-months and also involved the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau (OCEB) as well as North East Region (NER) Community Street Crime Units (CSCU) who worked with the United Chiefs and Councils of Manitoulin Anishnaabe Police Service (UCCM APS) on the initiative as well.
"This intelligence-led investigation found evidence that the targets within Project Hewson trafficked significant volumes of controlled substances including cocaine, fentanyl and hydromorphone throughout Manitoulin and the surrounding area," said the release.
Warrants were executed and arrests were made on Manitoulin Island and in the city of Sudbury.
"Several of the accused were held in custody upon arrest and are expected to appear at an Ontario Court of Justice in Manitoulin Island (Gore Bay) and Sudbury over the coming months," said the release. "The investigation is ongoing and additional charges will be laid."
Quotes
"I want to thank all who were involved in this project. Through full support and cooperation of working together we have removed some of the dangerous elements in various communities. I am always impressed by the dedication of our officers who behind the scenes continually work tirelessly for the betterment of our communities and increased safety for all". - OPP Inspector Megan Moriarity, detachment commander, Manitoulin Detachment
"The UCCM Anishnaabe Police Service would like to recognize the countless lives that were lost due to opioid addiction and for their families and friends to know that their call for action was heard. As well, we would like to recognize the individuals, in all our communities, who had the courage and integrity to come forward with accurate and timely information enabling the police the ability to start this drug enforcement initiative. Without the cooperation of community members willing to make a difference and support from the Chiefs and Councils of our communities, there would be no information to start these investigations. UCCM would also like to acknowledge the continued teamwork and strong partnership between the OPP, UCCM APS and Wikwemikong Tribal Police Service in combatting drug trafficking and other serious crimes." - UCCM Anishnaabe Police Service Chief James Killeen
"Our community, like other communities here on Manitoulin, have suffered the impacts caused by the trafficking and use/abuse of controlled substances. We've seen and continue to see the suffering of our people - whether those using/abusing drugs or their family members who have tried or continue to try to help their loved ones break free from drugs. Furthermore, in more tragic circumstances, we've seen community members overdose, with some losing their lives. This leaves behind broken families - loved ones having to bury them. Each community is fighting its own battle against illegal drugs on many fronts and with this, we know we can't do it alone. We are grateful for the ongoing collaboration and support with drug enforcement and police services through Project HEWSON. What we collectively seized through the Project HEWSON, means our communities will be safer." - Gregory Mishibinijima, Wikwemikong Tribal Police Service, acting chief of police
If anyone has further information regarding drug trafficking and organized crime, please contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or submit a secure web tip online and you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.
The full list of people charged, their age, place of residence and charges they face follows:
Amanda Cooper, 36 - Wikwemikong, Ont. Remanded to custody. Bail Hearing scheduled for Jan. 28, 2022.
- 5 x CDSA 5(1) Traffic in Schedule I substance - Cocaine
- 5 x CDSA 5(1) Traffic in Schedule I substance - Opioid (other than heroin) Fentanyl
- 4 x CC 354(1)(a) Possession Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000 - in Canada
Kirstan Panamick, 30 - M’Chigeeng, Ont. Remanded into custody. Bail hearing scheduled for Feb. 3, 2022.
- 10 x CDSA 5(1) Traffic in Schedule I substance - Cocaine
- 6 x CDSA 5(1) Traffic in Schedule I substance - Opioid (other than heroin) Fentanyl
- 5 x CDSA 5(1) Traffic in Schedule I substance - Other Drugs Hydromorphone
- 3 x CDSA 5(1) Traffic in Schedule I substance - Other Drugs Percocet
- 4 x CC 354(1)(a) Possession Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000 - in Canada
Victor Branco, 22 - Sudbury, Ont. Remanded into Custody. Bail hearing scheduled for Feb. 3, 2022.
- 5 x CC 354(1)(a) Possession Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000 - in Canada
- 2 x CC 354(1)(a) Possession Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000 - in Canada
- 3 x CDSA 5(1) Traffic in Schedule I substance - Cocaine
- 6 x CDSA 5(1) Traffic in Schedule I substance - Opioid (other than heroin) Fentanyl
- 1 x CC 145(5)(a) Failure to comply with release order - other than to attend court
- 2 x CDSA 5(2) Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking
- 1 x CC 91(1) Unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm
- 1 x CC 92(2) Possession of a prohibited device or ammunition
- 2 x CC 86(1) Transport firearm, weapon, prohibited device or ammunition in a careless manner
- 1 x CC 94 Occupant of Motor Vehicle knowing there was Firearm
- 1 x CC 95(a) Possession of Loaded Prohibited or Restricted Firearm
- 1 x CC 92(1) Knowledge of Unauthorized Possession of Firearm
- 1 x CC 268 Aggravated Assault
Martha Shawana, 60 - Wikwemikong, Ont. Arrested and released by way of an undertaking Feb. 15, 2022.
- 1 x CDSA 5(1) Traffic in Schedule I substance - Cocaine
Conrad Plume, 38 - Wikwemikong, Ont. Arrested and released by way of an undertaking. Feb. 15, 2022.
- 4 x CDSA 5(1) Traffic in Schedule I substance - Cocaine
- 2 x CDSA 5(1) Traffic in Schedule I substance - Opioid (other than heroin) Fentanyl
Connie Ottokar, 51 - Massey, Ont. Arrested and released by way of an undertaking. March 7, 2022.
- 1 x CDSA 5(1) Traffic in Schedule I substance - Cocaine
Orvelle Buckley, 36 - Espanola, Ont. Remanded into Custody.
- 1 x CDSA 5(1) Traffic in Schedule I substance - Opioid (other than heroin) Fentanyl
- 1 x CC 354(1)(a) Possession Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000 - in Canada
Crystal Lewis, 36 - Wikwemikong, Ont. Arrested and released by way of an undertaking. Feb. 15, 2022
- 1 x CDSA 5(1) Traffic in Schedule I substance - Opioid (other than heroin) Fentanyl
- 1 x CC 354(1)(a) Possession Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000 - in Canada
Brian Jordan Ense, 34 - M’Chigeeng, Ont. Arrested and released by way of an undertaking. Feb. 15, 2022
- 2 x CDSA 5(1) Traffic in Schedule I substance - Opioid (other than heroin) Hydromorphone and Percocets
- 1 x CC 354(1)(a) Possession Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000 - in Canada
Devin Wilson, 33 - Scarborough, Ont. Remanded into Custody. Bail hearing Feb. 1, 2022
- 1 x CDSA 5(2) Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking
- 1 x CC 354(1)(a) Possession Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000 - in Canada
- 1 x CC 91(1) Unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm
- 1 x CC 92(2) Possession of a prohibited device or ammunition
- 2 x CC 86(1) Transport firearm, weapon, prohibited device or ammunition in a careless manner
- 1 x CC 94 Occupant of Motor Vehicle knowing there was Firearm
- 1 x CC 95(a) Possession of Loaded Prohibited or Restricted Firearm
- 1 x CC 92(1) Knowledge of Unauthorized Possession of Firearm
Mitchell Gilligham, 31 - Windsor, Ont. Remanded into Custody. Bail hearing Feb. 3, 2022
- 1 x CDSA 5(2) Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking
- 1 x CC 91(1) Unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm
- 1 x CC 92(2) Possession of a prohibited device or ammunition
- 2 x CC 117.01(1) Adult Possession of a firearm or ammunition contrary to Prohibition
- 1 x CC 95(1) Adult possession of loaded firearm
- 1 X CC 86(1) Adult careless use of a firearm
- 1 x CDSA 4(1) Possession of a controlled substance
Lucius Jacko, 42 - Wikwemikong Ont. Arrested and released by way of an undertaking. March 8, 2022
- 3 x CDSA 5(2) Possession for the purpose of trafficking.