Owen Sound Police say nearly 70 charges have been laid and seven arrested following a multiple month investigation.
Owen Sound Police say they partnered with the OPP to conduct a joint force investigation, which came to a head on Dec. 1.
Teams from the OPP, Community Street Crime Unit, OPP Enforcement Unit, OSPS Criminal Investigations Branch, and the OSPS Community Oriented Response and Enforcement Unit conducted several raids in the city of Owen Sound and surrounding area.
Police say about 45 officers were involved in the arrest of seven accused, the search of three vehicles, and four residences, two in the city and two in Georgian Bluffs.
As a result, police say they seized a large amount of cocaine, other illicit drugs, and a large amount of Canadian currency. A loaded 9 mm handgun, a 9 mm automatic rifle, a 12-gauge short-barrelled pistol grip shotgun, a .38 calibre revolver, a large amount of ammo, and three prohibited weapons were among those seized.
Police say the combined street value of the drugs and cash seized are about $65,000.
Police say then on Dec. 3, a search warrant was conducted by investigators from the OPP and OSPS at a Southampton residence, which resulted in finding a 9 mm handgun and an amount of Canadian currency.
Through this investigation, police say it revealed this local drug organization had hundreds of area customers purchasing their products.
As a result, a 25-year-old, 25-year-old, 23-year-old, 58-year-old, 26-year-old, 45-year-old, and 21-year-old, all from Owen Sound, have been arrested and charged. The accused are facing drug, weapon and other criminal charges.
All of the accused were held in custody and appeared in court Dec. 2, then remanded. They are set to return to court on Dec. 6.
OSPS Chief Ambrose says, “getting these guns and drugs off the streets of Owen sound represents another significant step in ensuring community safety remains our key priority. This investigation is another example of the close working relationship our service enjoys with the OPP and our other Grey-Bruce policing partners.”
Police say the operation and safe apprehension of all suspects led to no injuries.