UPDATE: Ottawa police constables charged following major fentanyl bust

Ottawa police say they've made arrests in one of the city’s largest single seizures of fentanyl in history, which resulted in the arrest of two constables with the Ottawa Police Service (OPS).

The two OPS members — Cnst. Haider El Badry and Cnst. Mohamed Mohamed — have been criminally charged and suspended. A few other civilians were also arrested. 

El Badry, 29, of Ottawa is charged with:

• breach of trust by public officer, contrary to the Criminal Code
• Obstructing justice, contrary to the Criminal Code
• Causing a person to deal with a forged document, contrary to the Criminal Code

Mohamed, 45, of Ottawa is charged with:

• Obstructing justice

RCMP also confirmed the arrest of two others: 

Mohamed Salameh, 29, of Gatineau is charged with:

• Dealing with a forged document

Ashley El Badry, 29, of Ottawa is charged with:

• Forgery
• Causing a person to deal with a forged document

In a separate announcement, the Ottawa police name an Ameer El Badry, 23, of Ottawa, saying this arrest was also related to the ongoing RCMP O Division investigation. 

Police say that 1.4 kg of fentanyl was seized from a residence on Holmwood Avenue in The Glebe. That's when they apprehended El Badry.

The drugs seized will be submitted to Health Canada for analysis.

A large sum of Canadian currency was also taken.

El Badry is charged with:

• Two counts of possession of a Schedule 1 substance for trafficking
• Possession of proceeds of crime over $5,000

According to the RCMP, all of the accused are schedule to appear in court early in September. 

Ottawa’s police chief Peter Sloly released a statement Thursday evening, saying there is “no tolerance” of corrupt practices in the Ottawa Police Service.

In the statement, Sloly confirmed that two constables were among the four people arrested and charged with “a variety of crimes.”

“All OPS members have a duty to serve the community in an ethical, professional and lawful manner,” Sloly wrote in the statement. “Any OPS member who engages in criminal behaviour or corrupt practice will be fully investigated and prosecuted.”

Sloly explains that the OPS received information, although it's unclear how or from whom. Following the tip, the OPS conducted an initial assessment of the allegations.

The OPS then requested that the RCMP’s “O” Division Anti-Corruption Unit conduct a full criminal anti-corruption investigation.

This included consultation with the Ministry of the Attorney General.

As a result, four people were arrested and charged on Thursday.

The criminal investigations are ongoing.

Because of this, the OPS says it will not comment further on the specifics of the investigation or court case.

“The OPS will work with the RCMP and the Crown to respect the judicial processes and ensure that all persons facing criminal charges are afforded due process.”

The details of Mohamed's arrest or his crimes have not yet been made public as of Thursday evening.

“This is a blow to those good, hard working, caring OPS members as it is to the public who relies on their service,” Sloly added. “We will continue to build a police service worthy of respect and trust — and that our members are proud of and that the community is  confident in.”