A police investigation that lasted several months has led to the seizure of $1.28 million worth of drugs, guns, and stolen property and the arrest of three people.
The multi-jurisdiction drug trafficking investigation began in April after provincial police identified suspected drug trafficking activity affecting the Walpole Island First Nation community.
"On July 17th of this year, members of the Lambton County OPP Community Street Crime Unit (CSCU), supported by other specialized OPP units and frontline officers from across West Region, executed search warrants at two residences in the City of London. As a result of this investigation, police seized substantial quantities of suspected fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine. Investigators also recovered multiple firearms, five stolen vehicles, Canadian currency, and additional evidence consistent with drug trafficking. Three individuals from the City of London have been charged with numerous offences," said OPP Acting Chief Superintendent Andrea Quenneville.
Members from the OPP's Essex, Elgin-Middlesex, Huron-Perth, Wellington, Brant-Oxford, Grey Bruce, and Lambton-Middlesex CSCUs, as well as uniform members, West Region Tactics and Rescue Unit, Emergency Response Team, Canine Unit, Clandestine Laboratory Investigative Response Team (CLIRT), and the Urban Search and Rescue CBRNE Team, were all involved in the operation.
Police believe the outcome of the investigation has led to the disruption of a significant drug trafficking operation, and the removal of dangerous substances and firearms from communities.
"The total seizures are approximately 15.3 kilograms of fentanyl, 1.7 kilograms of cocaine, two kilograms of methamphetamine, four loaded prohibited handguns, five stolen re-vinned vehicles, approximately $20,000 in Canadian currency, with an estimated street-level value of approximately $1.2 million," said OPP Acting Detective Superintendent Andy Bradford. "To put today's seizures into perspective, investigators seized more than 15 kilograms of fentanyl. Based on common street-level quantities, that amount had the potential to generate over 150,000 potentially lethal street-level doses. That is enough to impact communities far beyond a single municipality, and that is exactly why CSCU investigations matter."
Police held a media conference on Wednesday, August 19, where they shared details about the investigation, and Walpole Island First Nation Chief Leela Thomas commended the coordinated efforts of law enforcement agencies.
"The scale of this operation demonstrates the importance of cooperation and information sharing among police services and federal agencies in disrupting organized criminal activity. The safety and well-being of our community remain one of our highest priorities. We recognize and appreciate the tremendous work undertaken by all of the agencies and officers involved in this coordinated effort," said Thomas. " The seizure of illegal drugs on this scale represents a significant disruption to criminal networks involved in the movement and distribution of illicit substances. It also reinforces the importance of continued collaboration between First Nation police services, municipal police agencies, provincial and federal law enforcement, and border authorities."
The accused, 27-year-old Saad Khan, 28-year-old Saleh Khan, and 28-year-old Fathima Ahamed Fahim, face numerous charges including possession of property obtained by crime, trafficking and firearm-related offences.
Police continue to investigate the origin of the drugs seized and the scope of the network that distributed them.
