In a significant development addressing illegal narcotics and arms trafficking, two suspects have been apprehended, one of whom is currently serving a prison sentence, in relation to 17 drug and weapons charges linked to a 2019 investigation.
The Intelligence Unit of the Chatham-Kent Police Service has been diligently probing into the importation and distribution of contraband substances such as cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl. This investigation in 2019 led to a successful bust, recovering approximately $3.2 million worth of illicit drugs.
Fast-forward to August 23, 2023, when the law enforcement officials executed two concurrent search warrants in the Chatham-Kent region. Consequently, they were able to seize an estimated $500,000 worth of narcotics, including methamphetamine, heroin, and MDMA. In addition, firearms and a significant amount of cash were also confiscated.
The confiscated substances included approximately 2497.66 grams of what’s suspected to be methamphetamine, about 3066.05 grams thought to be cocaine, around 182.18 grams of probable heroin, and roughly 202.22 grams of what seems to be MDMA. The seized weapons inventory consisted of five handguns, twelve long guns, numerous boxes of ammunition, and a cache of $12,645 in Canadian cash.
By virtue of the intelligence collated during the most recent probe into the orchestration and planning of this narcotics syndicate, an extra search warrant was carried out at the Collins Bay Correction Facility in Kingston, Ontario.
This action enabled the members of the Intelligence Unit to level charges against two individuals, one of whom is already serving a prison sentence consequent to the 2019 investigation and conviction. This individual now faces additional charges of conspiracy to commit an indictable offence – trafficking in a controlled substance.
The investigative efforts resulted in a total of 17 drug and weapons charges.
A 27-year-old male from Chatham faced six counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, five counts of conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, pertaining to the trafficking of controlled substances, and one count of careless storage of a firearm. He has since been released from custody, pending a future court appearance.
Meanwhile, a 40-year-old male from Kingston has been charged with five counts of conspiracy to commit an indictable offence – trafficking a controlled substance. This individual, already being incarcerated, will have to present himself in court at a future date to respond to these new charges.
