From thesudburystar.com link to article by Harold Carmichael, Nov 1 2019
A Lively man who was among three people arrested when a raid was conducted at two marijuana dispensaries on the Wahnapitae First Nation in mid-September has had several charges against him withdrawn.
Nathan Peacock, 28, was facing charges of possession of cannabis for the purpose of selling, possession of cannabis for the purpose of distributing, and possession of property obtained by crime.
He had his charges withdrawn Wednesday in the Ontario Court of Justice on the condition he undertake a six-month common-law peace bond.
The bond includes the condition that Peacock not work in any capacity at any illegally cultivated marijuana dispensary.
Peacock, who had no prior record, was not represented by a lawyer.
Federal prosecutor Denys Bradley told the court that Peacock took no ownership of the items seized at the dispensary where he was arrested.
As a result of entering into the peace bond, Peacock will also be getting an iPhone and some cash returned. They were seized by police when he was arrested.
In a news release issued on Sept. 18, Ontario Provincial Police said they joined the Anishinabek Police Service, Provincial Joint Forces Cannabis Enforcement Team of the OPP and members of the Sudbury OPP Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau in executing a search warrant “at two illegal cannabis storefronts located on Loonway Road and Taighwanini Trail on the Wahnapitae First Nation.”
Amanda McGregor, 27, of Wahnapitae First Nation, was also charged with the same offences as Peacock in the search warrant executed at First Nations Medicinal.
Derek Roque, 47, also of Wahnapitae First Nation and owner of Creator’s Choice, was arrested and charged with possession of cannabis for the purpose of selling; possession of cannabis for the purpose of distributing; cultivate, propagate or harvest any cannabis plant at a place that is not their dwelling home; breach of recognizance; and possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.
The trio were all released on bail on Sept. 19
Items seized during the execution of the two search warrants included a substantial amount of suspected cannabis products such as flower, shatter and edibles. Police also seized Canadian currency.
“The OPP enjoys a respectful working relationship with all of our First Nations policing partners,” the news release said. “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,” the release said.
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