A 53-year-old Chatham man has been arrested and charged after a joint drug trafficking investigation involving Chatham-Kent police and the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) in Collingwood.
Police reported seizing nearly $135,000 in illegal drugs, along with weapons, ammunition, and the proceeds of crime at a Chatham home on Sunday.
According to police, the investigation began in September targeting individuals believed to be involved in the distribution of illegal drugs across Ontario.
Police allege the accused from Chatham was receiving and distributing controlled substances supplied through the broader trafficking network.
Chatham-Kent police said they arrested the Chatham man at a residence on Evening Drive in Chatham on Sunday as part of multiple raids conducted throughout the province.
During the drug bust, officers seized the following:
Approximately 960 grams of cocaine
Approximately 645 grams of MDMA (Ecstasy)
A prohibited conducted energy weapon (Taser)
A replica .177 calibre handgun
Digital scales and drug packaging materials
Multiple rounds of ammunition
Nearly $23,000 in Canadian currency believed to be the proceeds of crime
The suspect has been charged with the following:
Possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking
Possession of methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) for the purpose of trafficking
Violating a ban on possessing ammunition
Breaching a ban on possessing a weapon
Possession of a prohibited weapon
Possession of the proceeds of crime
Driving under suspension
Chatham-Kent police thanked the Collingwood OPP for their efforts and collaboration.
"This investigation demonstrates the value of collaborative policing and intelligence-led enforcement," said Chatham-Kent police. "By working closely with our law enforcement partners in the Ontario Provincial Police, we are able to disrupt the flow of illegal drugs into our communities and hold those responsible accountable."
Chatham-Kent police encourage anyone with information regarding drug trafficking or other criminal activity to contact them at 519-436-6600.
