Wanted Manitoulin man arrested with help from Sudbury police

An undated image of a parked UCCM Anishnaabe Police Service vehicle. (File photo/UCCM Anishnaabe Police Service/LinkedIn)

A man already in police custody on other matters now faces a series of serious charges after the UCCM Anishnaabe Police Service executed two outstanding warrants with help from Greater Sudbury police.

The chain of events began on June 18 when UCCM Anishnaabe police was alerted by their counterparts at the Greater Sudbury Police Service that a wanted individual was in their custody. That notification set in motion a coordinated transfer that would see the suspect brought before the courts on allegations stemming from an earlier investigation.

UCCM officers travelled to Sudbury, took physical custody of the man and formally arrested him on the strength of the outstanding warrants. From there, he was transported to the UCCM detachment on Manitoulin Island, where he remained in custody pending a bail hearing.

Charges include trafficking, firearms offences

The warrants were connected to a previous probe by UCCM Anishnaabe police. As a result of that investigation the Manitoulin Island man has been charged with possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, possession of a prohibited device, unauthorized possession of a firearm, possession of an imitation firearm, drug trafficking, possession of property obtained by crime and failing to comply with a release order.

“The charges before the court have not been proven. The accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law,” the Indigenous police service said in a news release.

Manitoulin police thank GSPS, community members

The arrest did not happen in isolation. UCCM Anishnaabe police were quick to acknowledge the role of outside assistance in bringing the matter to a close.

“We would like to thank the Greater Sudbury Police Service for their assistance in this arrest,” said the service on social media.

“The service also extends its appreciation to community members who provided information and assistance throughout this investigation.”

Police said that public cooperation remains an essential tool in locating individuals wanted by the courts and in maintaining the overall safety of our communities.

“As this matter is now before the courts, no further information will be released at this time,” UCCM Anishnaabe police said to conclude their release.