More Illicit Drugs out of our First Nations

3 Charged with 5 CDSA and 1 CC Offences

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – M’Chigeeng, ON, June 24, 2024

On 20 June 2024, UCCM Police with the assistance of OPP’s Community Street Crime Unit, ERT, and K9 conducted a drug search warrant at a residence on Hill Street in M’Chigeeng First Nation. Three individuals have been charged with multiple drug related offences. Illicit drugs seized during the search totaled approximately $15,000.

All three individuals, Shayla DEBASSIGE (M’Chigeeng), Savanah ESHQUIB (M’Chigeeng) and Tasin RAHMAN (North York), have been charged with the following offences:

  1. Production of a Schedule I Substance, CDSA 7(1)
  2. Possession of Fentanyl for the Purpose of Trafficking, CDSA 5(2)
  3. Possession of Morphine for the Purpose of Trafficking, CDSA 5(2)
  4. Possession of Zanac for the Purpose of Trafficking, CDSA 5(2)
  5. Possession of Clonazapan for the Purpose of Trafficking, CDSA 5(2)
  6. Possession of Property (Canadian currency) Obtained by Crime, CC 354

On 20 March 2024, Tasin RAHMAN was arrested in another residence in M’Chigeeng First Nation and was charged with multiple offences including Possession of Schedule I Drugs for the Purpose of Trafficking and was released. As a result, RAHMAN faces an additional charge of Fail to Comply with Release Order, CC 145(5) stemming from the 20 March 2024 incident and remains in custody pending a bail hearing. DEBASSIGE and ESHQUIB were released on an undertaking to appear in court at a later date.

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Community safety is a collaborative effort with our communities. UCCM Anishnaabe Police Service would like to remind the public that we need to work together to ensure the safety, protection and overall health and wellness of our communities. We need your help, your information, and your assistance to affect change. Drug trafficking invites residual and lateral violence into your communities, such as home invasions, serious assaults, and homicides, and leads to the erosion of our communities through addiction, homelessness, and overdose deaths. We need to speak directly with the people who have the information that we require to ensure the safety and protection of our communities. Remember information is best protected and utilized when the Police can receive the information firsthand.
The UCCM Anishnaabe Police Service, OPP Community Street Crime Unit and Wikwemikong Tribal Police Service remain committed to working collaboratively and will continue to focus its efforts on major crime operations that pose a direct and elevated threat to the safety, security, and wellness of our communities. This combined Integrated Street Crime Unit is a Joint Force Operation and aims to identify and disrupt organized crime on Manitoulin Island through innovative technology, collaborative partnerships and traditional Police work resulting in the arrests of those involved, holding them accountable for their criminal activities and the seizure of illegal drugs, prohibited firearms and proceeds of crime.
If anyone has further information regarding any criminal activity, drug trafficking and/or organized crime, please contact UCCM Police at 705-377-7135 or Sudbury Rainbow Crime Stoppers at 705-222- TIPS (8477) or 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or submit an online tip at www.sudburycrimestoppers.com Together we can make a difference.

James Killeen
Chief of Police
UCCM Anishnaabe Police Service