Epic drug seizure is a highlight of Chief's Report

Results of two warrant raids on homes on John Street on Jan. 30. Photo provided by Cobourg Police.

By Cecilia Nasmith

Cobourg

The monthly Chief's Report at the February Cobourg Police Services Board meeting included news of a drug seizure that may have prevented literally thousands of overdose deaths.

Last month's epic drug seizure was a key part of Chief Paul VandeGraaf's monthly report at the Cobourg Police Services Board's February meeting.

The recent Controlled Drug and Substances Act search warrant executions were a partnership with other police agencies, including the OPP.

“When you execute two warrants at the same time where there may or may not be weapons, it's an all-hands-on-deck event,” VandeGraaf said.

“What a great event and what a great team, and obviously, what a great outcome.”

Along with four individuals arrested, 16 others in the residence not necessarily related to the operations were held and released. Four crossbows and several imitation firearms were recovered, as well as $2,852 in Canadian currency.

As for the drugs, the estimated street value was about $240,625. This included about 125 g. of cocaine, 46 g. of heroin, 3.5 g. of crystal meth and 344.5 g. of fentanyl – enough to cause almost 3,500 potential fatal overdoses.

Other initiatives reported on include the Warrant Apprehension and Bail Compliance Program, which continues to be a priority. Between Jan. 13 and 31, 12 arrest warrants were executed. Five of these were held for being wanted by other police services, and three were returned to their area of jurisdiction.

And it works both ways, VandeGraaf said.

“We have gone halfway to Kingston and places in between to pick people up,” he noted.

“It's a partnership we truly enjoy to hold people accountable for their bail or their warrant conditions.”

The enhanced police presence downtown, especially during those hours immediately before store openings and after store closings, saw 42 additional foot patrols between Jan. 27 and Feb. 9, as well as 155 property checks. Seventeen of these involve visits to the county's homeless shelter at 310 Division St., “to connect with staff on any emerging issues and safety concerns. We are working toward what the spring will look like and what it will bring as far as acceptable community norms.

“We are and will continue, as recently as last night, to remove people from bank vestibules, as has been the request of bank managers downtown,” he added.

On Feb. 2, auxiliary managers held a children's Car Seat Clinic, with certified technicians on site to welcome and educate six families on car-seat safety.

“They inspected 13 car seats for installation and safety, and not one of them passed the initial inspection,” he said. The team worked to ensure that all were compliant by the time they left.

VandeGraaf thanked Canadian Tire as a partner for the event, and for their donation of one of their garage bays for the event.

And the latest Cram-A-Cruiser, held Feb. 9 at the Metro store, brought in 1,718 lb. of food and $3,015 in donations - “proof positive that our community is exceptionally generous.”