Five arrested on drug charges

Five Leamington residents are being charged as a result of a drug-trafficking investigation by Essex County OPP. Police said a search warrant was executed at an address on Fox Street in Leamington on Thursday. Quantities of cocaine and illicit cannabis were found and seized by police. Provincial police estimated the total street value of the seized drugs at $28,000. The accused include: Miguel Garay Silva, 45, charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, possession of illicit cannabis, and failure to comply with a release order; Michael Ouellette, 39, and Billie-jo Duquette, 35, each charged with possession of illicit cannabis and failure to comply with an undertaking; Katharina Klassen, 48, charged with possession of illicit cannabis and obtaining or offering to obtain cannabis by any method or process, including manufacture, synthesis, or chemical alteration; and Nicholas Beleutz, 39, charged with three counts of possessing ammunition contrary to a court-ordered prohibition, possession of illicit cannabis, and obtaining or offering to obtain cannabis by any method or process. All five individuals have been scheduled for a court appearance in Leamington on Jan. 25. Anyone with information about crimes such as these is encouraged to call OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Anonymous tips can be made via Crime Stoppers at 519-258-8477 or www. catchcrooks.com.