(CHIPPEWAS OF THE THAMES FIRST NATION, ON) – On September 21, 2018, members of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Elgin-Middlesex Community Street Crimes Unit (CSCU) executed simultaneous Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) search warrants at two (2) locations on the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation.
This enforcement action was supported by the OPP West and Central Region Tactics and Rescue Units (TRU), West Region Canine Unit (K9), West Region Emergency Response Team (ERT), OPP Lambton County CSCU, OPP Huron County CSCU, OPP Provincial Liaison Team (PLT) and OPP Aviation Services.
Police seized more than $160,000 in Canadian currency, more than 250 grams of cannabis, high power rifles, semiautomatic handguns, large amount of ammunition and luxury watches.
As a result, 33-year-old, Joshua George BURCH and 32-year-old, Abigail BURCH, both of Chippewas of the Thames First Nation, Ontario, were arrested and charged jointly with the following offences pursuant to the Criminal Code of Canada (CC) and the CDSA:
CC 91(2) Unauthorized Possession of Weapon x 9
CC 91(1) Unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm x 2
CC 86(2) Breach of Firearms Regulation-Store firearm or restricted weapon x 5
CDSA 7(1) Produce a Schedule II substance – (cannabis marihuana)
The accused were released by way of Promise to Appear and are scheduled to attend a London court on November 12, 2018.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is encouraged to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or their nearest police authority.
Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), or submit a tip online at www.londoncrimestoppers.com where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2000.
