What began as a search for a fuel thief ended with guns and drugs seized and six people arrested southwest of London.
Strathroy-Caradoc police notified the Munsee-Delaware First Nation, Chippewas of the Thames First Nation and Oneida Nation of the Thames First Nation police services about a gas theft involving a pickup truck around 7:40 a.m. on Sunday.
A truck matching the description of the suspect vehicle in the theft was soon spotted by police. It became stuck in mud as it attempted to take off from officers who were trying to stop it.
Three people were arrested without incident and a search of the vehicle turned up a quantity of fentanyl.
Police determined the pickup truck had previously been reported stolen from Oxford County.
Further investigation led police to search a mobile trailer on Jubilee Road on the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation. Inside they found two long guns (one of which was loaded), ammunition, methamphetamine, and fentanyl. An all-terrain vehicle that was previously reported stolen from Elgin County was also seized from the property.
Three additional people were arrested.
Six people, ranging in age from 24 to 25, have been charged with several offences including unauthorized possession of a firearm, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, and possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking.
The investigation is ongoing, police said.
