The Citizen, 2014-12-25, Page 44PAGE 44. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2014.
33 arrested in three-county OPP drug bust
Thirty-three southwestern Ontario
residents face charges following a
lengthy investigation into illegal
drug trafficking rings by members of
the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).
Members of the Organized Crime
Enforcement Bureau (OCEB)
initiated Project PINECREEK in
2012 as a project to gather evidence
of illegal drug trafficking. It was
then escalated in July 2014 and
unveiled significant quantities of
methamphetamine and cocaine were
being distributed in Huron County,
Lambton County and Perth County.
At a news conference last week,
Inspector Chris Martin of Huron
County Detachment and OPP
Detective-Inspector Steve Clegg of
OCEB unveiled details of the
investigation and samples of the
evidence seized during the probe.
Local police leaders also stressed the
need for collaborative action to
support real improvement in the
lives of people, communities and
neighbourhoods by reducing harm
and victimization. The OPP will be
engaging and mobilizing community
partners to follow-up this
investigation.
Project PINECREEK was
conducted by OCEB Drug
Enforcement-West in partnership
with the members of the OPP Tactics
and Rescue Unit, OPP Emergency
Response Team and Community
Drug Action Teams (CDAT) in
Huron, Lambton and Perth County.
In all, 11 search warrants were
executed at 11 locations.
During Project PINECREEK,
OPP seized:
• 132 grams of cocaine (worth an
estimated value of $3,200)
• 21 ounces of methamphetamine
(estimated value $31,500)
• 46 pounds of marijuana
(estimated value $82,000)
• 32 grams of hydromorphone
powder (estimated value $2,900)
• 423 pills (estimated value
$2,100)
• 26 grams of cannabis resin
(estimated value $260)
• Three restricted weapons (rifles)
• Six prohibited weapons (push
dagger, sawed-off shotgun, butterfly
knife, brass knuckles, canister of
pepper spray, blow gun) and one
collapsible baton.
Police also recovered $22,000
worth of stolen property including:
• Bicycles
• Tools (saw, drills, generators,
computers
• one side-by-side all-terrain
vehicle
• one motorcycle
• one 2002 pick-up truck
• $6,000 in Canadian currency
In addition, one vehicle was seized
as offence-related property.
OPP have charged 33 people with
186 offences including charges
relating to the Controlled Drug and
Substances Act (CDSA) and the
Criminal Code of Canada (Proceeds
of Crime, Prohibited Weapons).
Several of the accused persons
have appeared or are expected to
appear at the Ontario Courts of
Justice in Huron County, Lambton
County, and Perth County. The
investigation continues.
As another busy year comes to a close we would
like to take this opportunity to thank all our
customers for supporting us and for the success of
our business in 2014. Looking forward to providing
all your construction needs in 2015.
Wishing all a blessed Christmas filled
with joy, peace and a prosperous New Year
Dave and Tracey Werkema and family
Pictured left to right; Dave, Scott, Jamie,
Dave, Joy, Tracey, Olivia, Julia, Cory & Rover.
NORTH HURON CARPENTRY INC.
Suppliers and installers of all residential and farm construction including replacement windows, siding, soffit, facia,
seamless trough, decks and fences, all metal claddings and accessories, new home builds,
all farm buildings, from start to finish. See us for all your material or construction needs.
38728 Moncrieff Rd., RR #3 Blyth, ON
Ph.: 519-526-7634 Email: northcarpentry@hurontel.on.ca Mobile: 519-531-0224
True patriot love
North Woods Elementary School held its annual Christmas concert, featuring 21st century
Christmas carols, on Tuesday, Dec. 16. Here, as past of “The 12 Days of Canadian Christmas”
Taylor Daw, left, Amber Wheeler, centre, and Sarah Hastings, right, present the ‘Leafs a-
leaping’ for their part of the performance. (Denny Scott photo)
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