Cops make arrests, seizures in 'high-level' cocaine project

NEWS RELEASE

SAULT STE. MARIE JOINT FORCES DRUG UNIT

Together, these Services have created the Sault Ste. Marie Joint Forces Drug Unit (SSM JFO Drug Unit). 

The SSM JFO Drug Unit has successfully completed Project COOPER. 

Project COOPER targeted high level cocaine distribution in Sault Ste. Marie and the Algoma District. 

This project commenced on March 14, 2014 and ended on May 27, 2014. 

On May 27, 2014 police executed search warrants at:

483 Bush Street
392 Chambers Avenue
571 Parliament Street

Also on May 27, 2014 police arrested 28-year-old William Lawrence Fleming in the parking lot of the Cambrian Mall. 

Fleming was arrested for several drug related offences including conspiring to traffick and offering to traffick two kilograms of cocaine. 

During this arrest, police also seized a 2011 GMC pick up truck as offence-related. 

During this investigation police have seized the following;

• 2.31 pounds of cocaine (37 ounces)
• 33 pounds of marijuana (528 ounces)
• five grams of crack cocaine
• A 2011 GMC pick up truck

The whole sale value of all drugs seized is $147,500. 

The potential street value of all drugs seized is $326,030.

William Lawrence Fleming has been charged with the following offences and is appearing in bail court today:

• Trafficking in a controlled substance – cocaine x 5
• Possession of the proceeds of crime x 4
• Conspiracy to traffick in cocaine x 1
• Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking – marijuana x 1
• Possession of a controlled substance – crack cocaine x 1

During the search of 483 Bush Street police seized eight marijuana plants in the early stages of production. 

26-year-old Joshua Daniel Kennedy has been charged with production of a controlled substance and will appear in court on June 30, 2014.

Sault Ste. Marie RCMP Detachment Commander Sergeant Michael Fenchak states: "Partnerships between various police services strengthens our ability to respond to the threat of illicit drugs in our communities."

Chief John Syrette of the Anishinabek Police Service states: "The Anishinabek Police Service is excited to partner with the other agencies in the SSM JFO Unit. We already have an excellent collaborative relationship with our policing partners. This new Unit will help all of us reduce the availability of illicit drugs in our communities."

Chief Robert Davies of the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service states: "The changes we have made and are making in our organizational structure will, and has increased, the Service’s effectiveness in dealing with the areas of concern related to drug trafficking. This joint initiative embraces the Provincial Community Mobilization and Engagement Policing Model which targets proactive enforcement. This newly formed policing partnership will help make all of our communities a better place to live."

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