TIMMINS -- Dozens of people have been charged with more than 300 criminal offences related to a massive drug seizure in Timmins. Police say the drugs were destined for the James Bay coast.
A seven-month, joint investigation between the Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service, the Ontario Provinicial Police and the Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau called Project Coast culminated in 21 search warrants executed in Timmins, Chapleau and First Nations on James Bay.
Police seized 57,792 methamphetamine tablets, 7,229 oxycodone pills, 706 grams of cocaine, 476.6 grams of marihuana, 154.25 fentanyl patches, more than $252,000 in cash, a shotgun and a bulletproof vest.
Poilce charged 55 people with 341 offences connected to the seizures.
“The trafficking of illegal and prescription drugs brings an element of society into our communities that engage in further criminal behaviours to protect their enterprises," NAPS Chief Terry Armstrong said in a Tuesday release.
"By working collaboratively with our police partners and mobilizing community leaders, the individuals who target our people have been arrested and charged as we tackle several challenging issues."
The release pointed out the above drugs typically sell at a price four times higher than they do in urban centres, "providing considerable profit incentive for criminals to exploit vulnerable residents in Aboriginal communities."
Several among the accused will appear at Ontario Courts of Justice at various times, dates and locations. The investigation continues.
