Three people have been arrested after a morning drug bust on Walpole Island First Nation.
Walpole Island First Nation Chief Executive Officer James Jenkins said the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and Walpole Island police conducted a drug raid at a home on Tecumseh Road just before 9 a.m. on Tuesday.
The OPP said officers seized suspected fentanyl, hydromorphone, and methamphetamine as well as packaging materials, digital weigh scales, and $4,200 in cash.
Walpole Island drug bust November 2, 2021. Photo via OPP)
A 39-year-old woman from Walpole Island and two men aged 37 and 34 have all been charged with possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking. The men have also been charged with breaching their bail conditions and the 34-year-old male suspect has been charged with possession of a firearm or ammunition contrary to a court order banning him from carrying a weapon or ammunition.
The 34-year-old is still in custody waiting for a bail hearing, but the other two have been released.
Walpole Island has been dealing with increased drug activity lately and a chronic drug overdose problem and Jenkins noted that Chief Charles Sampson and Police Portfolio Councillor Ron Soney have been meeting with Lambton County OPP regularly.
“The purpose of these meetings has been to assess the situation and to develop a strategy to move forward with aggressive action in response to the drug activities on Walpole Island,” said Councillor Soney.
Jenkins added a community meeting on September 9, 2021 with Walpole Island members, members of Council, and the OPP to address the drug crisis started the collaboration between the First Nation and the OPP.
A State of Emergency was declared on Walpole Island in July of 2021 following community concerns about "rapidly rising" numbers of drug overdoses over the past two years.
“The community meeting held in September led to today’s action,” said Chief Sampson. “The community established a firm mandate to take definitive action. We have established a working table with the OPP to address the drug problem.”
Walpole Island leadership said further actions will be forthcoming as they gain control over the situation.
