Drug sweep nets 29 arrests in Mohawk communities

Thursday, March 27, 2008  

Over 300 law enforcement officers from Canada and the United States swept three Mohawk communities on Wednesday, arresting 29 people and confiscating cash, drugs and weapons.

Operation Cancun targeted the Kahnawake and Kanesatake communities in Quebec, the Akwesasne community in Quebec and Ontario and the St. Regis Mohawk Reservation in New York. Tribal, provincial, Canadian and U.S. authorities took part in the raid, aimed at shutting down a marijuana operation.

"We're sending a message," Gorden McGregor, the head of the Quebec First Nations Chiefs of Police Association, was quoted as saying. "Drugs are not acceptable in our communities, clear and simple. It comes down to us. If we don't stop this, who will?"

"We do not - and will not - support such illegal activity within the Territory," Grand Chief Mike Ahrihrhon Delisle Jr. of Kahnawake said in a statement. "Anyone who chooses to take part in such activities should take warning."

Get the Story:
Police seize drugs, cash, guns (The Ottawa Citizen 3/27)
Drug raids on Mohawk territories lead to 30 arrests (CBC 3/26)
Police say Mohawk communities used to move Quebec drugs to U.S. (CP 3/26)
Mohawk pot operation busted (CJAD News 3/26)