Pubdate: Wed, 05 May 2010
Source: Observer, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2010, OSPREY Media Group Inc.
Contact: http://www.theobserver.ca/feedback1/LetterToEditor.aspx
Website: http://www.theobserver.ca
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1676
Author: Cathy Dobson

RAINING CASH AND DRUGS

Residents of a Sarnia apartment building were surprised to see a safe 
fall from a third storey window on Friday, and even more surprised 
when it broke open, spilling cash and drugs to the ground.

Police say the Sarnia vice squad along with uniform police and 
members of the criminal investigation branch were executing two drug 
search warrants simultaneously at the building near the intersection 
of South Christina and Devine streets when suspects in one of the 
apartments threw a safe from a bedroom window.

"When it hit the ground, it burst open," said Staff Sgt. Doug Warn. 
"It was very windy and the money was just going everywhere. Residents 
in the building came out and saw this and went, 'Wow.'"

Three residents from the building began grabbing up $20, $50 and $100 
bills, as well as an assortment of baggies filled with crack cocaine 
and powder cocaine.

Initially, they tried to hide the cash and drugs from police but 
changed their minds.

"We were able to determine who they were and they decided it was in 
their best interest to give it to us," Warn said.

The cash totalled $14,000 and the drugs estimated to be worth $8,500.

"It was a good-sized seizure for Sarnia," Warn said.

Two of the three grabbing up the contraband were not arrested. 
However, the third was an occupant of one of the two apartments being searched.

He and four others face charges of drug trafficking and possession.

Charged are [name redacted], 27, [name redacted], 23, [name 
redacted], 31, and [name redacted], 28, all of Sarnia.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart