NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
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One additional individual has been charged under the Criminal Code after a review of evidence gathered from the Project WEAVER search warrants executed in March, 2021.
On March 18, 2021 the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and its partner agencies announced the results of an eight-month investigation into firearms and drug trafficking in southwestern Ontario. Project WEAVER saw 11 search warrants executed on March 9, 2021 resulting in the arrest of 10 individuals for 268 charges. Significant seizures of firearms, explosives, cocaine and cannabis were made.
Police executed another search warrant in London on March 12, 2021 resulting in the arrest of one individual for four offences, and the seizure of more than $1.8 million in illegal cannabis and cannabis products.
After careful review of evidence from the warrants executed in March, 2021 the investigative team have grounds to lay additional charges against one individual. Matthew Strachan, age 34 of Barrie has been charged with the following offences:
- Making or possession of explosives - S. 82(1) of the Criminal Code
- Weapons trafficking - S. 99 of the Criminal Code
- Weapons trafficking (Manufacture) - S. 99 of the Criminal Code
- Possession of firearm knowing its possession is unauthorized - S. 92(1) of the Criminal Code
- Possession of prohibited device knowing it is unauthorized - S. 92(2) of the Criminal Code
- Possession of prohibited firearm with ammunition - S. 95 (b) of the Criminal Code
- Failure to comply with undertaking - S. 145(4)(a) of the Criminal Code
The accused was held in custody and had a first appearance on April 22, 2021 at an Ontario Court of Justice in London.
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