Repeat offender arrested twice in 24 hours on Manitoulin Island, Ont.

An exterior sign at a Wikwemikong Tribal Police Service building on Manitoulin Island. (File photo/CTV News Northern Ontario)

Police in Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory say they have arrested two people and seized cocaine with an estimated street value of $10,000 during a proactive patrol, with one suspect facing charges for a second time within 24 hours.

The Wikwemikong Tribal Police Service said the arrests occurred Monday evening as part of its Project Wigwam, an initiative focused on monitoring repeat offenders.

Traffic stop leads to charges

At about 7:20 p.m. on Dec. 8, officers observed a suspicious vehicle on Kaboni Road and conducted a traffic stop.

“During the investigation, officers determined that both occupants had provided false information about their identities,” the police service said in a news release Wednesday.

Authorities took both individuals into custody for obstructing a peace officer.

“A search incident to arrest resulted in the seizure of Canadian currency, drug-related paraphernalia and cocaine,” said police.

One accused arrested just hours earlier

Further investigation revealed one of the accused, a 39-year-old man from Wiikwemkoong, had been arrested just 24 hours earlier on Dec. 7 during a separate traffic stop. In that incident, he was charged with two counts of failing to comply with an undertaking for allegedly breaching release conditions.

“This second arrest within a 24-hour period upon the same felon, highlights ongoing concerns related to repeat offenders, non-compliance with release orders and the continued impact such individuals have upon community safety,” said police.

The release expressed the service’s position that it continues “to witness repeat offenders who have been released from custody following a criminal arrest, continue to ignore their orders and conditions of release,” adding that these individuals “continue to victimize our citizens and wreak havoc upon the community.”

A 42-year-old woman, also from Wiikwemkoong, was arrested alongside the man. Both face charges of drug trafficking and obstructing a peace officer. Police said “additional charges may be pending.”

Both accused were held for bail hearings scheduled for Tuesday in Sudbury.

Police Chief vows continued action

“The Wikwemikong Tribal Police Service remains committed to interdicting and arresting repeat offenders who continue committing criminal offences, and pose risks to our community,” said Chief Ron Gignac.

“Through proactive initiatives like Project Wigwam, the WTPS Offender Management Apprehension Program, the provincial bail compliance program, we are sending a clear message that those who continue to disregard court orders and engage in further nefarious criminal activities will be held accountable.”

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