A Barrie man has been arrested in connection with an ongoing investigation into weapons and drug trafficking in southwestern Ontario.
The OPP says the arrest was made as a result of evidence gathered from the Project WEAVER search warrants executed in March 2021.
That’s when 10 individuals were taken into custody on 268 charges and officers seized a significant quantity of firearms, explosives, cocaine and cannabis.
Police executed another search warrant in London on March 12, 2021 resulting in the arrest of one individual for four offences, and the seizure of more than $1.8 million in illegal cannabis and cannabis products.
After careful review of evidence from the warrants executed in March, 2021 the investigative team have grounds to lay additional charges against one individual.
Police say Matthew Strachan, age 34, of Barrie has been charged with the following offences:
- Making or possession of explosives – S. 82(1) of the Criminal Code
- Weapons Trafficking – S. 99 of the Criminal Code
- Weapons Trafficking (Manufacture) – S. 99 of the Criminal Code
- Possession of firearm knowing its possession is unauthorized – S. 92(1) of the Criminal Code
- Possession of prohibited device knowing it is unauthorized – S. 92(2) of the Criminal Code
- Possession of prohibited firearm with ammunition – S. 95 (b) of the Criminal Code
- Failure to comply with Undertaking – S. 145(4)(a) of the Criminal Code
The accused was held in custody and had a first appearance on April 22, 2021 at an Ontario Court of Justice in London.