Hamilton

Police seize 6.5 kg of drugs, identify criminal networks in Brant County and London areas

By
Shelby Knox

Published: 

Packages of suspected drugs seized by the Ontario Provincial Police as part of an investigation into two criminal networks in the Brant County and London areas was photographed in this undated image. (Courtesy: Ontario Provincial Police)

The Ontario Provincial Police have identified two criminal networks operating in Brant County and the London area as part of a large drug bust.

In January, police launched an investigation into suspected drug trafficking in southwestern Ontario. Investigators said they discovered a criminal network was running in Brantford and Brant County while a second, separate network was linked to London and Oneida Nation of the Thames Settlement area.

various illegal drugs Brant County and London area crime networks Packages of suspected drugs seized by the Ontario Provincial Police as part of an investigation into two criminal networks in the Brant County and London areas was photographed in this undated image. (Courtesy: Ontario Provincial Police)

On July 7, police searched four locations in Brantford and Paris.

On Aug. 12, the OPP and Onedia Police Service searched homes in London and Oneida Nation of the Thames Settlement.

Officers seized 6.5 kg of suspected fentanyl, 420 g of suspected cocaine, 250 g of suspected methamphetamine, more than $73,500 in cash, a handgun with an auto-switch, a rifle, three prohibited magazines, ammunition, brass knuckles, drug trafficking paraphernalia, two stole camper trailers and a stolen 2019 Honda Civic.

Overcapacity drum magazine Brant County and London area crime networks An overcapacity drum magazine seized by the Ontario Provincial Police as part of an investigation into two criminal networks in the Brant County and London areas was photographed in this undated image. (Courtesy: Ontario Provincial Police)

Investigators said the total value of the drugs is estimated at $100,000.

Seven people were charged with a combined 64 offences.

Suspected fentanyl Brant County and London area crime networks Suspected fentanyl seized by the Ontario Provincial Police as part of an investigation into two criminal networks in the Brant County and London areas was photographed in this undated image. (Courtesy: Ontario Provincial Police)

A 50-year-old man from Southwold faces 21 charges, a 21-year-old London man was hit with 10 charges, a 35-year-old woman from London faces seven charges, a 68-year-old from Brantford was slapped with four charges and a 25-year-old from Brantford had two charges.

Firearm Brant County and London area crime networks A firearm seized by the Ontario Provincial Police as part of an investigation into two criminal networks in the Brant County and London areas was photographed in this undated image. (Courtesy: Ontario Provincial Police)

Pair wanted

Police have issued arrest warrants for two other people as part of ongoing investigation.

The first person is a 21-year-old man from London. He is wanted for 17 charges including unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm, three counts of possession of a prohibited device or ammunition, possession of a loaded prohibited or restricted firearm, seven counts of possession of a firearm or ammunition contrary to a prohibition order, three counts of possession of proceeds of crime over $5,000 and two counts of possession of an opioid for the purpose of trafficking.

The second wanted person is a 29-year-old man from Brantford. His charges include possession of an opioid for the purpose of trafficking, possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking and possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking.

Police did not release descriptions of the wanted men or their names.