Major drug bust on Manitoulin Island sees three charged

An undated photo of the front of a UCCM police vehicle with lights flashing. (File photo/Supplied/UCCM Anishnaabe Police Service)

A police operation has resulted in the seizure of a significant quantity of drugs and charges against three people – including two from the Greater Toronto Area – on Manitoulin Island last week.

Ontario Provincial Police and the UCCM Anishnaabe Police Service executed a search warrant at a residence on Corbiere Road in M’Chigeeng First Nation on Sept. 4.

The investigation began this summer after police received information that an individual from the GTA was trafficking fentanyl and cocaine from the location.

Upon entry, officers located and took three individuals into custody without incident: a local woman, a man from Scarborough and a second man from the GTA.

The search revealed 233 dilaudid pills, 143.8 grams of cocaine and 124.1 grams of crack cocaine. Police also seized a bulletproof vest, five cell phones, two digital scales and $595 in cash.

At the time of his arrest, the man from Scarborough was wearing a bulletproof vest and was already on release conditions related to multiple firearm offences.

All three accused are charged with three counts of drug trafficking, possession of property obtained by crime and failing to comply with release orders.

They were held in custody pending a bail hearing.