Man facing 19 charges after fire near Brockville leads to explosive police discovery

The fire occurred early July 20 at an unoccupied home.

A 40-year-old man from Jasper is facing 19 charges after a suspicious house fire north of Brockville led to a major police seizure.

Leeds OPP were called to a fire at an unoccupied home around 5 a.m. on July 20.

After investigating, police searched a property on County Road 7 near Jasper.

Officers found a semi-automatic rifle, body armour, brass knuckles, explosives containers, drugs, and stolen items.

The drugs included what officers believe to be methamphetamine and fentanyl. Police also seized a pickup truck, travel trailer, riding lawnmower, and more than 430 grams of an unknown substance.

Graham Drew was charged with arson, explosives-related offences, drug possession, weapons charges, and possession of property obtained by crime.

He remained in custody ahead of a bail hearing in Brockville on July 31.