38 people face 174 drug charges

News Release
OPP

(KENORA, ON) The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau (OCEB), in partnership with the RCMP “D” Division, Treaty 3 Police Service, Dryden Police Service and Anishinabek Police Service have charged 38 individuals with 174 Criminal Code and drug related offences following the execution of ten search warrants in Kenora, Wauzhushk Onigum (Rat Portage) First Nation, and Winnipeg between Thursday October 10, 2013 and Thursday October 17, 2013.
The charges stem from a lengthy covert investigation conducted by the five police services.
The undercover component of the investigation was centered on drug trafficking operations in Kenora. The focus the investigation was to disrupt a drug distribution network being operated from Winnipeg, Manitoba (MB) that supplies Kenora, Ontario (ON) with illegal drugs.
The types of drugs purchased and seized during the investigation were cocaine, marihuana, morphine pills and heroin. The street value of the drugs seized is over $230,000. Also seized was in excess of $18,000 in Canadian Currency and Offence Related Property including four motor vehicles.
The complete lists of the accused and charges have been appended to this release along with an outline of quantities of drugs seized.
The investigation is ongoing.
“Project Gordonvale sends a clear and strong message to criminal organizations that criminal activities such as trafficking illegal drugs will not be tolerated.” --Detective Inspector Chris HARKINS- OPP Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau
“In order to establish our policing priorities in the Kenora area we complete extensive consultation with various agencies and groups including but not limited to schools, first nations communities, police services boards and city council. We heard loud and clear that drug trafficking and drug use was the top of the list. Drug trafficking is a very serious threat to public safety but also to public health, education and the overall quality of life in our communities.” --Inspector Dave Lucas, Kenora OPP Detachment Commander
‘’Our mandate of dealing with serious and organized crime has us follow criminals, wherever they may go. Criminals know no borders and have no boundaries. With investigations like these, we must come together with our partners to overcome jurisdictional boundaries. Working together with one common goal. That goal being to ensure the safety of the public to help promote a safe secure Canada.’’ -- Inspector Brent Tayor, Federal, Serious & Organized Crime - RCMP “D” Division
‘’Trafficking of illicit drugs has a significant negative impact on all of our communities and this includes the twenty three communities policed by the Treaty Three Police Service.’’ --Interim Chief Dan Davidson, Treaty Three Police Service
‘’It has been my experience that criminals do not let geographical boundaries stop their movement and activities. Therefore, we as law enforcement must be able to check our respective shoulder flashes at the door and work together to combat these illegal activities. Project Gordonvale did exactly that.’’ --Chief Rob Davis Dryden Police Service
“This seizure was significant for the District of Kenora and our coordinated response proved successful by eliminating these drugs from reaching our streets. We have to acknowledge the illicit and prescription drug trade will none the less continue however, we are confident our intelligence led policing methods and partnerships will lead to further seizures and hold those involved in this criminal activity accountable for their actions.’’ --Inspector Derek Johnson, Anishinabek Police Service