Marihuana Seized

OPP Media Release

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Investigators from the Almaguin Highland Ontario Provincial Police Criminal Investigations Unit assisted by the North Bay O.P.P. Joint Forces Drug Enforcement Section, Central Region K-9 and Emergency Response Team members have executed two search warrants in McMurrich-Monteith Township that has netted over $407 000.00 in drugs, predominantly marihuana.

Officers had utilized the local media following the Ontario Provincial Police’s annual eradication program to ask the public for assistance in locating marihuana growing locations in the Almaguin area. As a direct result of having the story in a local paper, police received information from the public that lead to a search warrant being granted and executed on a McMurrich-Monteith Township property. The original warrant yielded 305 mature marihuana plants with an estimated street value of $305 000.00.

As a result of information gathered by the Investigating Officers during the execution of the first warrant, a second warrant for the buildings and residence on the same property was obtained and executed. From this warrant police seized 6.78 kilograms of marihuana. This processed marihuana has an estimated street value of $101 700.00.

The street value of all drugs seized from the two warrants combined is estimated at $407 700.00.

The investigation pertaining identifying a suspect or suspects is ongoing by the Almaguin Highlands Criminal Investigations Unit.

Criminal Investigations Unit Commander Detective Sergeant Jeff DAGG was happy with the effort and the results and stated the following: “This is a very significant seizure in this area. The most meaningful part of this investigation is

that the information, which the police used for the search warrant to get onto the property came directly from the public, a concerned citizen(s). It is very encouraging to the police when you have the support of the people we are sworn to serve. Try as we might, we cannot do it alone. When a member of the public calls with a concern and we are able to respond with positive results, it’s very rewarding on a personal and professional level for our Officers.”

Detective Constable Dan DUTRISAC of the Almaguin Highlands Criminal Investigations Unit is the lead investigator.

Anyone with information about this or any other crime is urged to call the Almaguin Highlands Ontario Provincial Police at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

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