Pair arrested, $52K in drugs seized in Attawapiskat First Nation raid

Northern Ont. Indigenous diversion pilot success A northern Ont. police pilot program to divert Indigenous People away from the criminal justice system is expanding and becoming permanent.

A drug raid on a home on the Far North Attawapiskat First Nation last week resulted in two local residents being charged and more than $50,000 in suspected narcotics, including methamphetamine, being seized.

Members of the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service (NAPS) intelligence unit executed a search warrant at a residence in the community in the early morning hours of Oct. 3 as part of an ongoing drug trafficking investigation, the Indigenous police service said in a news release.

“As a result of their search, police located and seized a quantity of suspected oxycontin pills, Percocet pills, methamphetamine pills and paraphernalia consistent with drug trafficking,” said police.

“Two suspects located inside the home were taken into custody without incident.”

In addition to the suspected drugs found, police seized $11,500 in cash, which police believed to have been obtained through drug trafficking.

The estimated total street value of the drugs seized was $52,000, according to NAPS.

A 34-year-old man and a 27-year-old woman from Attawapiskat each face three drug trafficking charges and an additional charge for possession of property obtained by crime.

“Both appeared for a bail hearing on Friday,” said police.

The woman “was remanded into custody” while the man “was released with conditions,” said police.

Both accused will face future court appearances related to the charges.

None of the accusations has been proven in court.

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