OPP canine member hurt during drug bust

LEAMINGTON — The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Essex County Street Crime Unit (CSCU) conducted a drug trafficking investigation in Leamington last week.

On July 16th, members of the CSCU and the Essex County Canine unit (K9) conducted a search warrant at a residence in the Town of Leamington.

A quantity of fentanyl, cocaine, crystal methamphetamine and Canadian currency were seized following the execution of the search warrant at a home on Erie Street South.

OPP K9 dog “Maximus” assisted in locating narcotics in the house.

Due to fentanyl exposure, the OPP K9 handler had to administer naloxone to Maximus as he was dizzy, disoriented and his breathing was laboured.

Maximus is expected to make a full recovery.

A 57 year old resident of Leamington is charged with the following:

• Possession of a Schedule 1 Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking - Cocaine;

• Possession of a Schedule 1 Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking - Methamphetamine;

• Possession of a Schedule 1 Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking - Fentanyl.

The accused will appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Windsor on October 1st, 2020.

“Investigations remain ongoing into the trafficking of illicit narcotics throughout Essex County and elsewhere,” said Inspector Glenn Miller, Detachment Commander, Essex County OPP. “To those that continue to negatively impact our communities, the consequence of your actions will be severe as there is zero tolerance in being a drug dealer.”