KINGSTON – Between September 17th and 18th, 2018 the Royal Canadian Mounted Police’s (RCMP) Serious and Organized Crime (SOC) team arrested three drug traffickers who had been supplying prescription opiates to northern Ontario communities.
“The RCMP combats criminal elements that exploit and take advantage of the remote geography of some Indigenous communities. This investigation shows how partnerships are essential in helping to get illicit drugs off of the streets and out of these communities,” stated Superintendent Ivan Verdurmen, RCMP North East District Commander.
In October 2017, the Mushkegowuk Tribal Council which consists of First Nations in James Bay Region of northern Ontario declared a state of emergency as a result of rampant opioid use. At the same time, Health Canada requested that the RCMP investigate the trafficking of opiates between Kingston and northern Ontario communities.
The investigation uncovered a criminal network in Kingston that was involved in illicit drug trafficking to northern residents which led to the arrest of the following individuals:
Joshua Burtch (31 years old) of Kingston, Ontario, charged with:
- Trafficking a substance included in Schedule I – contrary to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act(CDSA);
- Conspiracy to Traffic a substance included in Schedule I – contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada (CCC);
- Possession of Proceeds of Crime – contrary to theCCC
Pearl Friday (40 years old) of Kingston, Ontario, charged with:
- Trafficking a substance included in Schedule I – contrary to theCDSA;
- Conspiracy to Traffic a substance included in Schedule I – contrary to theCCC;
- Possession of Proceeds of Crime – contrary to theCCC
Michael Eric Loone (Ashamok) (48 years old) of Kingston, Ontario, charged with:
- Possession for the purpose of trafficking a substance included in Schedule I – contrary to the CDSA.
All three accused will appear in court at 279 Wellington St, in Kingston, Ontario on October 3rd, 2018.
