From the Sudbury Star link to article Jan 7th 2019
Six people have been charged following two separate drug raids on the Wahnapitae First Nation.
On Thursday, members of the OPP, along with officers from the Anishinabek Police Service, executed a search warrant at First Nations Medicinal, located on Loonway Road.
As a result of the investigation, two people were charged with possessing cannabis for the purpose of selling: Haley McGregor, 20, and Paul Cayen, 32, both of Greater Sudbury.
McGregor and Cayen were released on a promise to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Sudbury on Jan. 23.
The items seized include suspected cannabis bud, oil, shatter (cannabis concentrate), hash and edibles. The street value of the seized products is approximately $47,430. Police also seized approximately $2,700 in Canadian currency.
On its Facebook page, First Nations Medicinal said they remain undaunted.
“Despite yesterday’s raid, we’re back in action,” they wrote on Friday. “We will not slow! We will not fail! Not an option at this point!”
This is not the first time the dispensary has been raided. A year ago at this time, police seized 738 grams of marijuana, 35 grams of shatter, 336 grams of cannabis resin, 289 grams of hash and hundreds of edible pot products. Anishinabek Police also seized more than $3,200 in cash from the pot business and a taser, which is a prohibited weapon.
In a separate police action in Wahnapitae First Nation this past Thursday, officers raided a second storefront, Creator’s Choice, on Taighwanini Trail. They arrested three people for possessing cannabis for the purpose of selling: Travis Leclair, 24; Josee Legault, 36; and Scott Martel, 32. All are from Greater Sudbury.
The three accused were released with an appearance notice and are scheduled to attend the Ontario Court of Justice in Sudbury on Jan. 23.
Derek Roque, 47, was charged with possessing cannabis for the purpose of selling; possessing property obtained by crime under $5,000; obstructing a peace officer; dangerous operation; and assaulting a peace officer. Roque was held for a bail hearing and appeared before the Ontario Court of Justice in Sudbury on Jan. 4. He was released on a recognizance.
The items seized in the second raid include suspected cannabis bud, hash and edibles. The street value of the products is approximately $111,000. Police also seized $14,000 in Canadian currency.
“The OPP enjoys a respectful working relationship with all of our First Nations policing partners,” the service said in a release. “The OPP and its partners continue to work with communities and engage all stakeholders with respect to enforcement action on illegal cannabis storefronts. The OPP is continuing to lead an enforcement strategy, which includes other Ontario police services. This strategy will reflect actionable intelligence on illegal cannabis operations.”
The focus of the strategy is to dismantle organized crime groups, eliminate the illegal cannabis supply, remove illegal cannabis enterprises, such as storefronts and online, and target the proceeds of crime and assets.
Anyone with information regarding this incident should immediately contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or their nearest police authority. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or you can submit information online at sudburycrimestoppers.com. You may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.
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