Crime Stoppers president charged in $3M pot bust
The president of an Ontario chapter of Crime Stoppers was forced out of his position this week, after police charged him in connection with a large marijuana grow-operation.
Windsor & Essex County Crime Stoppers voted Thursday, to remove Jon-Paul Fuller the day after Ontario Provincial Police raided greenhouses in Leamington, Ont.
Police said they found more than 2,900 marijuana plants with an estimated value of $2.9 million, along with 41 kilograms of harvested marijuana worth about $180,000.
“It’s difficult to accept, very shocking, but nonetheless we’re moving forward,” said Charlie Hotham, who preceded Fuller as president and was reinstated on Thursday.
“We don’t want to let one person take away from the good deeds that Crime Stoppers does,” he added.
Hotham said the Crime Stoppers board is not involved in the day-to-day operation of the tip line, which allows people to offer information on crimes without contacting police.
Fuller is charged with production of marijuana and possession for the purpose of trafficking. Another man also faces charges.
