NEWS RELEASE
JAMES BAY OPP
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On July 5, 2022, members of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Community Street Crime Unit (CSCU), Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau (OCEB), in collaboration with Nishnawbe Aski Police Drug Enforcement Unit (NAPS DEU) executed a Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) search warrant at a residence on Highway 11, west from the Town of Hearst.
A search of the residence led to the seizure of suspected hydromorphone, suspected Percocet/Oxycodone, suspected cocaine, suspected psilocybin, Canadian currency of approximately $8,000, a firearm, ammunition, debt lists and drug trafficking paraphernalia. The approximate street value of the drugs seized is believed to be over $16,000.
As a result of the investigation, Eric Leclerc, 43 years old from Hearst, was arrested and charged with:
- Possession of a Schedule I Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking - Cocaine, contrary to section 5(2) of the CDSA
- Possession of a Schedule I Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking - Opioid (Other than Heroin), contrary to section 5(2) of the CDSA (Two Counts)
- Possession of a Schedule IV Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking, contrary to section 5(2) of the CDSA
- Possession Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000 - in Canada, contrary to section 354(1)(a) of the Criminal Code (CC)
- Careless Storage of Firearm, Weapon, Prohibited Device or Ammunition, contrary to section 86(1) of the CC
- Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm, contrary to section 91(1) of the CC
The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice on Aug. 31, 2022, in Hearst.
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