Three residents of Walpole Island First Nation have been arrested and charged following a drug bust conducted by various police agencies.
Officers from the Lambton County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) searched a home on Austin Road on Sunday with help from Essex County OPP, Walpole Island Police Service, and Chatham-Kent police. Police said a quantity of drugs and stolen property valued at almost $10,000 were seized from the residence.
A 41-year-old, a 33-year-old, and a 42-year-old, all of Walpole Island First Nation, have been charged with four counts of possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking and two counts of possession of a controlled substance. Two of the suspects have also been charged with possession of property obtained by crime.
The OPP said the search warrant is part of an ongoing effort to combat Walpole Island's drug epidemic. Walpole Island declared a State of Emergency last July because of a rising number of drug overdoses and deaths.
"Lambton County OPP continues to work in conjunction with Walpole Police Service and Chatham-Kent Police Service to address the opioid-related crisis," said the OPP in a statement.
If anyone has information on this event or any other criminal activity in the area, contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or *OPP (677) on your mobile phone. The public may also call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), or submit a tip online at www.sarnialambtoncrimestoppers.org.