Hamilton man who was allegedly keeping raccoon as pet charged: police

Hamilton police say a man charged with a number of drug and weapon-related offences was allegedly keeping a raccoon as a pet.

Officers executed a search warrant on a tent in Montgomery Park, in the city’s Bartonville neighbourhood, on the morning of Dec. 20 after allegedly receiving complaints about an individual who was dealing drugs and in possession of a firearm.

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When officers entered the tent, police said, they found it was equipped with a generator, TV, and safe where a quantity of cash and drugs was located.

A raccoon was also found “roaming around” inside the tent and was allegedly being kept as a pet.

The 36-year-old suspect, identified as Hamilton resident Matthew Campbell-Lewis, was arrested nearby and found to be in possession of a switchblade, police said.

He was charged with a number of offences, including possession of fentanyl, hydromorphone, methamphetamine, and ammunition.

Campbell-Lewis is also charged with keeping a prohibited animal in contravention of a city bylaw, police said. Hamilton Animal Services was contacted to take the raccoon.

Earlier this month, Hamilton police revealed that they discovered a network of man-made holes and tunnels during a patrol of an encampment at Gage Park. It’s alleged that the tunnels were being used to connect nearby tents to a generator by way of extension cords and other electrical wiring.

READ MORE: Police locate labyrinth of tunnels connecting tents to generator in Hamilton encampment

Law enforcement also recently shut down a drug dealing operation known as “The Shack” near Lincoln and Barton streets.