Ottawa police have made three arrests and confiscated a quantity of illegal narcotics following a targeted operation in the city's Chinatown district last month. The action was a direct response to ongoing worries from residents about drug activity in the area.
Proactive Surveillance Leads to Arrests
The Ottawa Police Service's Carlington Neighbourhood Response Team launched proactive surveillance on November 28 after receiving multiple reports from the community. This intelligence-led initiative aimed to address specific safety concerns raised by local residents and business owners.
The surveillance culminated in the arrests of two youths for trafficking-related offences. A 47-year-old Ottawa man was also taken into custody on a charge of possession of a controlled substance.
Charges and Seized Evidence
The two young individuals now face a series of serious charges. These include possession for the purpose of trafficking a Schedule I substance and possession of proceeds of crime. Additionally, they were charged with carrying a concealed weapon and breaching previous release conditions.
During the arrests, officers seized a significant amount of evidence. The haul included:
- A quantity of prescription opioids and crack cocaine.
- A concealed knife.
- An undisclosed sum of cash.
- Multiple cellphones.
- Various items of drug-trafficking paraphernalia.
Ongoing Investigation and Community Commitment
The OPS Drug Unit has taken the lead on the ongoing investigation. Police officials emphasized their continued dedication to tackling drug-related crime through a combination of enforcement and community partnership.
"The OPS remains committed to addressing drug activity and enhancing community safety through proactive enforcement and ongoing community engagement," the service stated in a release.
Authorities are urging anyone with further information related to drug activity in the area to come forward. The public can contact the OPS Drug Unit directly at 613-236-1222, extension 5080. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or through their website at crimestoppers.ca.
