An investigation that began last year in Aylmer has resulted in the arrest of four members of Outlaw Motorcycle Groups and eight associates.
The joint force initiative involved police services in St. Thomas, Aylmer and Strathroy-Caradoc with the assistance of the OPP and London Police Services.
In total 52 charges were laid in the drug trafficking investigation.
Aylmer Deputy Police Chief Kyle Johnstone says the addition of a criminal investigator to the service helped move the investigation along.
The investigation resulted in the seizure of illicit drugs, including suspected fentanyl and cocaine, worth an estimated $33,000 (street value) and illegal firearms.
Once thought to be limited to larger urban areas, organized crime is now infiltrating smaller communities. At the media conference Wednesday morning in London, details of Operation Derailleur were revealed.
It was a collaborative effort stresses St. Thomas Deputy Police Chief Steve Bogart.
On June 27, the OPP Biker Enforcement Unit executed 11 search warrants at eight locations, including the Outlaws Motorcycle Club Clubhouse and residences in Aylmer, St. Thomas and Strathroy.
Bogart confirms organized crime is infiltrating smaller communities.
Strathroy-Caradoc Deputy Police Chief Brent Cushman points to the situation in his community.
Acting Detective Superintendent Lee Fulford, Director of the OPP Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau added , “This investigation has disrupted a drug trafficking ring spanning throughout Southern Ontario.”
During the course of the investigation, the investigative team was able to recover:
· seven ounces of cocaine;
· 200 Percocet pills;
· 242 oxycodone pills;
· 100 hydromorphone pills;
· one rifle;
· two sniper rifles;
· one handgun;
· four prohibited weapons;
· three prohibited devices, including over capacity magazines and a silencer;
· $11,000 in Canadian currency;
· Outlaws Motorcycle Club vests; and,
· items consistent with drug trafficking.
Those charged include:
Donald BRADFORD 43 Aylmer
· Possession for the purpose of trafficking – Cocaine
· Knowledge of unauthorized possession of firearm
· Three counts possession of a firearm, prohibited device or ammunition
Paula FORBES, 53 and Kenneth GROVES, 64 Aylmer
· possession of a firearm
· 2 counts possession of a firearm
· possession of a loaded firearm
· possession of the weapon for a purpose dangerous to the public peace or for committing an offence
· possession for the purpose of trafficking – Percocet
Robert MUTCH 65 Aylmer
· possession for the purpose of trafficking – cocaine
· possession for the purpose of trafficking – Oxycodone
John BURWELL 57 Fergus
· possession for the purpose of trafficking – cocaine
Chris DONAHUE 40 Wardsville
· possession for the purpose of trafficking – Cocaine
Brant BURROWS, 39 Cydney JAMIESON-PIKE, St. Thomas
· knowledge of unauthorized possession of firearm
· Two counts possession of a firearm
· possession of a loaded firearm
· occupant of a motor vehicle in which he/she knew there was a firearm
Jeffrey ACAL, 38 Tianna PLESTER, Mount Brydges
· possession for the purpose of trafficking –
Taylor ABRAMS, 20 Connie WHITESIDE, 46 Strathroy-Caradoc
· possession for the purpose of trafficking – Cocaine
· possession of a prohibited device
Some of the accused were held in custody upon arrest and some were released on Promises to Appear and are expected to attend at an Ontario Court of Justice in Ontario at various times and dates.