Alex Kurial
Local Journalism Initiative

Two of six people arrested in a drug raid linked to the Pot of Gold cannabis shop on Aamjiwnaang First Nation have been fined for their part in the seizure of cannabis.

Sarnia police searched a Corunna home and the pot shop in December. It was the third police raid in two years after a lengthy investigation into the store and its owner.

Police found they were growing more cannabis than they had a licence to produce.
Arnold Mayers, 64 was one of four people arrested at the owner’s home where about 575 grams of cannabis was found with about $22,000 in cash and $5,500 in gift cards. His lawyer Bobby Russon says the Corunna man had “joint possession but certainly not sole possession” of the drugs. He was fined $2,000 and banned from owning a weapon for 10 years.

Police also raided the store. David Bruce was working there when police found 64 kilograms of cannabis bud alone. About $3,000 in cash was found along with debt and price lists.

Because he was an employee at the time of the raid, Bruce was fined $2,500 in total and banned from owning weapons for 10 years. Charges against three other people arrested were withdrawn. One man who was arrested at the house still faces charges.