By Lee Griffi, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Police have seized approximately $134,000 in drugs and cash and charged seven Woodstock residents following an ongoing drug trafficking investigation.
On Wednesday, July 10 at approximately 4:45 a.m., the Woodstock Police Service (WPS) Criminal Intelligence and Drug Enforcement Unit, with the assistance of the WPS Emergency Response Unit, Canine Unit, Uniform Patrol, Stratford and St. Thomas Police Services, executed a search warrant at several apartments in Woodstock.
Police have laid the following charges:
· a 49-year-old and a 33-year-old are in custody facing charges of possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking along with one count of possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000. The 33-year-old is also facing an additional charge of failure to comply with a release order.
· A 35-year-old and 53-year-old are in custody, facing three counts of possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking along with one count of possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000.
· A 56-year-old, 44-year-old, and 36-year-old are facing one count of possession of a schedule I substance and released on an undertaking.
During the investigation, police seized a street value of over $132,000 worth of suspected fentanyl, crystal methamphetamine and cocaine, and just under $2000 in Canadian money.
Woodstock Police Inspector Jamie Taylor said the groundwork behind investigations like this one is complicated.
“Investigations vary depending on the information we have. I wouldn’t give a specific timeframe on how many days or months. Multiple investigations can be on the go at any given time. It’s just when is the right time for a takedown.”
He added this case is a significant win for the city but it doesn’t mean they stop doing the job of continuously trying to take drugs off the street.
“This is a big bust, but there is always a supply and demand. When one goes down another opens up shop again but there were a lot of people who would pick up their drugs from this location and we have put a big dent into the drug subculture in Woodstock.”
Taylor, who spent most of his policing career in Stratford, explained the fight against drugs is a never-ending battle for law enforcement.
“As much as we are doing our best, it’s a business out there with money to be made, and people know that. We are doing our best to focus on the distributors to take that supply away so users have a much more difficult time purchasing drugs.”
Despite the focus on battling the distribution of illegal drugs, Taylor wanted to remind the public possession is still a criminal offense under the federal Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, passed in 1996. He added the drug trade is an ongoing and serious issue not only in Woodstock but across the country. He added many busts they are involved in utilizing intelligence and support from other services.
“Here’s a situation where we used our neighbouring police forces to assist with this investigation whether throughout the project or the takedown but for officer and public safety, and the safety of the subjects arrested, we drew on the expertise of these services to assist and make it go as safely as possible.”
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