Elgin involved in drug ring investigation

A Straffordville couple were among 12 Ontario residents who were arrested and charged recently in connection to a complex investigation into three illegal drug trafficking rings in southwestern Ontario, two of which were alleged to be importing drugs from Mexico.

The result of the investigation was unveiled during a media conference held at the Ontario Provincial Police West Region Headquarters in south London on Thursday, May 22.

The other accused included six from Norfolk County, two from Kitchener and one each from Toronto and Arthur.

The Straffordville husband and wife, aged 34 and 33 respectively, were arrested on May 14 at their residence without incident.

The man was charged with four counts of traffic a controlled substance (cocaine) and possession of property obtained by crime (money).

The woman was charged with possession of property obtained by crime (money).

Both had already made court appearances in Simcoe.

All accused were arrested and charged as result of a nine month investigation that was codenamed Greymouth.

Thirteen search warrants were executed during the week of May 12-16 by various police services at a number of locations in the Waterloo area as well as in Elgin County, Oxford County, Norfolk County and Toronto.

Items seized included 12 kilograms of cocaine with an estimated value of $1.2-million, 3.5 kg of methamphetamine worth an estimated $280,000, $89,955 in Canadian money and $38,000 in American money.

Four vehicles were also seized.

The 12 accused faced a total of 49 charges and several had already appeared in courts in Kitchener-Waterloo and Norfolk County.

One of the accused was believed to be out of the country.

The investigation would continue.