Drug charges laid as a result of search warrant
On November 24, officers with the UCCM Anishnaabe Police Service, with the assistance of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), executed a controlled drugs and substances act warrant at a residence on Sheguiandah First Nation.
During the search police located and seized the following: thirty-five grams of psilocybin (magic mushrooms), 30.6 grams of cocaine, 34 grams of fentanyl and $1,125 of Canadian currency.
As a result, Jason Caruso, 44, stands charged with several counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking, possession of proceeds of crime, as well as failure to comply with an undertaking. He was held in custody for a bail hearing.
“The UCCM Anishnaabe Police Service remains committed to proactive enforcement efforts targeting the trafficking of controlled substances within our First Nations communities,” Dan Despatie, deputy chief of police stated.
“Community safety is a collaborative effort with our communities. UCCM Anishnaabe Police Service would like to remind the public that we need to work together to ensure the safety, protection and overall health and wellness of our communities. We need your help, your information, and your assistance to affect change,” explained Deputy Chief Despatie.
He explained that “drug trafficking invites residual and lateral violence into your communities, such as home invasions, serious assaults and homicides and leads to the erosion of our communities through addiction, homelessness and overdose deaths. We need to speak directly with the people who have the information that we require to ensure the safety and protection of our communities. Remember, information is best protected and utilized when the police can receive the information firsthand.”
The UCCM Anishnaabe Police Service, OPP Community Street Crime Unit and Wikwemikong Tribal Police Service remain committed to working collaboratively and will continue to focus on major crime operations that pose a direct and elevated threat to the safety, security, and wellness of our communities, the UCCM APS says.
The integrated street crime unit is a joint force operation and aims to identify and disrupt organized crime on Manitoulin Island through innovative technology, collaborative partnerships and traditional police work resulting in the arrests of those involved, holding them accountable for their criminal activities and the seizure of illegal drugs, prohibited firearms and proceeds of crime.
If anyone has further information regarding any criminal activity, drug trafficking and/or organized crime, please contact UCCM Police at 705-377-7135 or Sudbury Rainbow Crime Stoppers at 705-222-TIPS (8477) or 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or submit an online tip at sudburycrimestoppers.com.
