Pubdate: Sat, 14 Nov 2015
Source: Recorder & Times, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2015 Recorder and Times
Contact: http://www.recorder.ca/letters
Website: http://www.recorder.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2216
Author: Ronald Zajac
Page: A1

MORE OPP COPS ARRESTED

Two latest arrests, part of local sweep, connected to October
bust

Two Leeds County Ontario Provincial Police officers were arrested
Thursday in connection with illegal drug activity.

The arrests, part of a large sweep that also netted seven civilians,
follows the recent arrest of a veteran Leeds OPP officer in October -
an arrest police confirmed was related to the same
investigation.

The OPP announced Friday night its Organized Crime Enforcement and
Professional Standards bureaus, with the help of the Royal Canadian
Mounted Police, OPP Emergency Response Team and the Montreal police
force, "conducted an 18-month investigation into criminal activity by
police officers in Leeds County."

The operation, known as Project Arrowtown, was launched in May 2014
and as a result, investigators executed seven search warrants on
Thursday and arrested nine people, including the two OPP officers.

A warrant is outstanding for one other man.

Const. David Vogelzang, 41, a 16-year member of the OPP posted to the
Leeds County detachment, has been charged with obstruction of justice,
OPP reported Friday.

Const. Jason Redmond, 36, also faces an obstruction of justice charge,
as well as three counts of trafficking in marijuana, one count of
forgery and one count of breach of trust.

Redmond is a 10-year member of the OPP also posted to Leeds
County.

Both officers were suspended with pay in accordance with the Police
Services Act.

And they were both released pending a court appearance in Brockville
on January 8.

The arrests follow that on Oct. 31 of Constable George Duke, 52, a
20-year member of the OPP.

Duke has been charged with theft over $5,000; possession of property
obtained by crime, over $5,000; breach of trust; unlawful possession
of a restricted firearm; unsafe storage of a firearm; unsafe storage
of ammunition; possession of a firearm without a licence; and
possession of schedule II substance. OPP East Region spokesman Sgt.
Kristine Rae confirmed Thursday's arrests were part of the same
investigation that led to Duke's arrest.

"The investigation was continuing at the time of his (Duke's) arrest,"
she said.

Rae said no other officers are being investigated in connection with
these crimes.

Police acted on "multiple sources of information, but also individual
OPP officers" who provided information, said Rae.

The public should rest assured that the vast majority of OPP officers
are above reproach, said Rae.

"It's definitely unfortunate, but when these types of things are
happening, we will deal with it," said Rae. "It will not be
tolerated." Also arrested Thursday were Richard Vanderwal, 55 of Front
of Yonge, who is charged with possession of marijuana for the purpose
of trafficking; possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking;
trafficking in marijuana; trafficking in cocaine; production of
marijuana; and possession of proceeds of crime over $5,000.

He was remanded into custody and will appear in Brockville court on
November 17.

Albert White, 59, of Mallorytown, has also been charged with
possession of marijuana and cocaine for the purpose of trafficking;
trafficking in both of those drugs; and production of marijuana. He is
also in custody pending a November 17 court date.

Danny Ryan, 43 of Mallorytown, was arrested and charged with two
counts of possession of marijuana; possession of cocaine; possession
of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking; and trafficking cocaine,
said police.

He was remanded into custody also pending a November 17 court
appearance.

Derek Sytsma, 34 of Mallorytown, has been arrested and charged with
possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking, as well as
trafficking in marijuana, and also is in custody pending a November 17
court appearance.

Samantha Bohan, 45, of Mallorytown, has been charged with possession
of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking. She was released on a
promise to appear and officer-incharge undertaking pending a December
4 court appearance.

Kim Durant, 37 of Mallorytown, has been charged with possession of
cocaine and two counts of possession of marijuana. She was similarly
released pending a December 4, court appearance.

And Mitch Vanderwal, 25 of Mallorytown, faces charges of trafficking
and production of marijuana.

He was released on similar conditions pending a December 4 court
date.

Meanwhile, a warrant is out for the arrest of Donald Kastner, 45, of
Mallorytown, on charges of possession, trafficking and production of
marijuana, the latter charge on two counts, said police.

Officers executed search warrants at seven different addresses in
Front of Yonge Township.

The investigation is continuing and further charges are pending, said
police.
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