Police Urge Public to Report Drug Activity to Help Curb Overdose Crisis
OPP seizes cocaine in Sioux Lookout drug bust, urges public to report drug activity to help fight opioid crisis
SIOUX LOOKOUT, ON – A 27-year-old Sioux Lookout resident is facing multiple drug-related charges after an Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) investigation led to a search warrant execution on King Street.
On March 4, 2025, members of the OPP Sioux Lookout Community Street Crime Unit (CSCU), in collaboration with the Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau (OCEB), executed a Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) search warrant at a residence.
Seized During the Investigation:
- Over 80 grams of suspected cocaine
- Canadian currency
- Drug trafficking paraphernalia
Charges Laid Against Emery Southwind, 27
Emery SOUTHWIND, of Sioux Lookout, has been charged with:
- Possession of a Schedule I Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking – Cocaine
- Trafficking in a Schedule I Substance – Cocaine
- Possession of Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000
SOUTHWIND was held for bail and has been remanded to Kenora District Jail. Their next court appearance is scheduled for March 7, 2025.
Drug Crime & Community Safety: The Role of Reporting
Illicit drug activity contributes directly to opioid overdoses, addiction, and crime in communities across Northwestern Ontario. Fentanyl and opioid-related deaths continue to rise, often linked to trafficking operations like this one.
Police urge residents to report drug activity—not only to assist law enforcement but also to save lives. If you don’t want the overdose crisis in your community, reporting suspicious activity is a direct way to combat it.
How to Recognize a Drug House in Your Neighborhood:
Drug operations often function out of residential homes. Signs to watch for include:
✅ High foot traffic at all hours, especially late at night
✅ Frequent, short visits from multiple individuals
✅ Windows covered or blacked out
✅ Strong chemical smells or excessive garbage
✅ Increase in crime or suspicious behavior near the property
If you suspect drug-related activity in your area, do not approach the individuals directly. Instead, report it anonymously through Crime Stoppers or contact the OPP.
How to Report Drug Activity
📞 Call the OPP at 1-888-310-1122
📞 Submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or online at www.tipshelp.com
Your tip could prevent overdoses, stop trafficking, and make your community safer.
