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OPP Police Press Releases Tudor & Cashel Tyendiaga Mohawk Territory

Violent Robbery – Tracy VARDY & Roxanne WEST

(TYENDINAGA MOHAWK TERRITORY, ON) – Two people have been arrested and are facing numerous charges after violent robberies in Madoc and Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory.

On Monday, December 1, 2025, shortly after 3:30 p.m., two people filled a vehicle with fuel at a gas station on Highway 62 in Madoc. They went inside, refused to pay for the gas and other items that were taken from the store. One person inside the store was struck with a baseball bat, resulting in serious injuries. Another person was also assaulted.

The pair was able to flee as officers arrived.

Then, at approximately 5:00 p.m., the same two people entered a store on Airport Road in Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. An employee was struck with a baseball bat, suffering non-life-threatening injuries. One of the would-be robbers then left the building.

Officers from the Tyendinaga Police Service and OPP quickly arrived on the scene and located and arrested one individual in parked pick-up truck. The second person was located and arrested inside the store.

Tracy VARDY, age 59 of Tudor and Cashel Township has been charged with:

  • Assault with a weapon – three counts
  • Assault causing bodily harm – two counts
  • Robbery with violence – two counts
  • Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose – two counts
  • Uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm
  • Conspiracy to commit an indictable offence

Roxanne WEST, age 55 of Tudor and Cashel has been charged with:

  • Robbery with violence – two counts
  • Conspiracy to commit an indictable offence
  • Flight from a peace officer
  • Accessory after the fact

Both accused were held in custody, with bail hearings scheduled before the Ontario Court of Justice in Belleville on Tuesday December 2, 2025.

The investigation by the Central Hastings and Prince Edward County OPP Crime Units are continuing to investigation in collaboration with the Tyendinaga Police Service. The Lennox and Addington County Detachment and OPP Forensic Identification Services are assisting.

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OPP Police Press Releases Tyendiaga Mohawk Territory

Cocaine Bust – 8 Charged

(TYENDINAGA MOHAWK TERRITORY, ON) – Eight people are facing charges after a seizure of suspected cocaine and firearms in Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory.

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) East Region Community Street Crime Unit (CSCU) and Tyendinaga Police Service began an investigation earlier this fall.

On Friday, November 28, 2025, officers with CSCU, assisted by the OPP Tactics and Rescue Unit, the Emergency Response Team, Canine Units, OPP Crisis Negotiators the Provincial Liaison Team, Prince Edward County OPP Crime Unit and the Tyendinaga Police Service executed search warrants at two locations on Old Highway 2 and one on Huron Brant Drive.

Officers seized nearly 10 grams of suspected cocaine, multiple firearms and two sets of brass knuckles. They also seized items associated with drug trafficking and over $2400 in cash. A photo is attached.

Marcelo LOPES, age 25 of Bradford has been charged with:

  • Obstructing a peace officer
  • Possession of Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking
  • Possession of a prohibited device or ammunition for a dangerous purpose
  • Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime-under $5000

Nathan ROBINSON, age 42 of Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory has been charged with:

  • Careless storage of a firearm – three counts
  • Unauthorized possession of a firearm – three counts
  • Knowledge of unauthorized possession of a firearm – four counts
  • Possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm with ammunition

Robert ADDEO, age 18 of Newmarket, and Rodrigo ALMAS, age 22 of Toronto  have been charged with:

  • Possession of Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking
  • Possession of a prohibited device or ammunition for a dangerous purpose
  • Possession of an imitation weapon for a dangerous purpose
  • Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime-under $5000

Aaron BAPTISTE, age 47 of Deseronto has been charged with:

  • Possession of Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking
  • Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime-under $5000

Nicholas HAMILTON, age 24 of Edmonton, Alberta, Beverly MARACLE, age 62 of Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory and Tonya MARACLE, age 55 of Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory have each been charged with possession of Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking.

Beverly and Tonya MARACLE were released from custody with scheduled appearances before the Ontario Court of Justice in Belleville on December 22, 2025.

The other accused were held for bail hearings before the Ontario Court of Justice in Belleville.

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OPP Police Press Releases Tyendiaga Mohawk Territory

$122 Million “Drug” Bust

(TYENDINAGA MOHAWK TERRITORY, ON) – More than 72,000 illicit cannabis plants with a value of more than $122 million and three firearms have been seized following an investigation into an organized criminal network allegedly operating illicit cannabis production sites on Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. A total of 10 individuals, including six non-community members, were arrested and charged under the Criminal Code and the Cannabis Act.

In April 2025, the Tyendinaga Police Service and the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau (OCEB) began an investigation into illicit cannabis production sites controlled by non-Indigenous organized criminal networks, aided by a limited number of community members. The majority of the profits from these operations were not invested in or utilized by the community.

On Tuesday, September 23, 2025, and Wednesday, September 24, 2025, several search warrants were executed at four illicit cannabis production sites on Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory by members from:

  • OPP OCEB
  • Tyendinaga Police Service
  • OPP Provincial Liaison Team
  • OPP Tactics and Rescue Unit
  • OPP Emergency Response Team
  • OPP Canine Unit
  • OPP East Region detachment members
  • OPP Contraband Tobacco Enforcement Team
  • OPP Clandestine Laboratory Investigative Response Team
  • OPP Offender Transport Unit
  • OPP Snowmobile, All-Terrain Vehicle and Vessel Enforcement
  • OPP East Region Community Street Crime Units
  • Canada Border Services Agency

As a result of this investigation, officers halted unlawful diversion of water from the Bay of Quinte and seized the following with approximate quantities:

  • 72,000 illicit cannabis plants valued at more than $122 million
  • Three firearms
  • Ammunition
  • Numerous items as offence-related property, valued at approximately $530,000

The OPP Provincial Asset Forfeiture Unit has been engaged to investigate any proceeds of crime offences and assist in the seizure of offence-related property.

The Tyendinaga Police Service and the OPP would like to thank the Ottawa Police Service Air Support Unit, Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service, Hiawatha First Nation Policing Services and Anishinabek Police Service for their support during this investigation.

This investigation is ongoing, and further details will be released as they become available.

Anyone with information regarding the illegal sale or production of cannabis should contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or ontariocrimestoppers.ca.

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OPP Police Press Releases Tyendiaga Mohawk Territory

Human Remains Found

(TYENDINAGA MOHAWK TERRITORY, ON) – Police are investigating the discovery of human remains in Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory.

On Saturday, May 17, 2025, shortly before 3:00 p.m., officers of the Lennox and Addington County Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to the discovery of human remains at a location near Highway 49, between Old Highway 2 and Lower Slash Road.

The remains appear to have been there for an extended period of time.

The investigation is in the initial stages, with assistance from the OPP Forensic Identification Services Unit Office of the Chief Coroner and the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service.

There is believed to be no risk to public safety, but the public can expect to see an increased police presence in the area.

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation should contact the L&A County OPP at 1-888-310-1122. If someone has information, but wants to remain anonymous, they can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit information online at ontariocrimestoppers.ca.

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OPP Police Press Releases Tyendiaga Mohawk Territory

Ashley CUMMINGS Arrested – Kidnapping, Assault, Threats, Etc. Etc.

(TYENDIAGA MOHAWK TERRITORY, ON) – The final individual, wanted in connection with a home invasion, kidnapping and assault in Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory has been arrested.

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Repeat Offender Parole Enforcement (ROPE) Squad located and arrested Ashley CUMMINGS, age 36, on February 28, 2024 in Deseronto. She is charged with:

  • Assault with a weapon – two counts
  • Kidnapping
  • Conspiracy to commit and indictable offence-kidnapping
  • Forcible confinement
  • Uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm
  • Robbery with violence
  • Theft under $5000
  • Break and enter with intent to commit and indictable offence
  • Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
  • Disguise with intent

CUMMINGS will remain in custody, with a bail hearing scheduled for February 29, 2024 before the Ontario Court of Justice in Belleville.

Five other individuals are already before the courts on similar charges.

The incident happened January 28, 2024, around 4:30 a.m., at a residence on Atsia Court on Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. It was reported that several individuals had entered the home, assaulted a male and took him away in a vehicle. He was assaulted again and was then dropped off in another part of the community. The victim did not suffer any life-threatening injuries.