Officer of the Year Credited with Largest Narcotics Bust in Shelby's History

Shelby Township Police Detective David Jacquemain was voted the V.F.W. Police Officer of the Year after being credited with the biggest drug bust in Shelby Township’s history.

Jacquemain was recognized by the Shelby Township Board of Trustees at Tuesday night's meeting.

Police Chief Robert Leman said Jacquemain held four people suspected of transporting 1,642 pounds of pot in a van from California until police back up arrived.

Just before midnight on March 31, 2010, Jacquemain observed a suspicious van exiting a closed trucking yard in the area of West Utica and Mound roads and alerted police officers in unmarked vehicles nearby.

When a marked police vehicle attempted to pull over the van, police said the van fled and crashed through a gate behind an apartment building.

Jacquemain said the driver of the van fled, but was later identified and arrested. Meanwhile he held four people at the lot at gunpoint until backup arrived.

Inside the van police discovered 42 bales of marijuana, which has a street value of $2.5 million. Inside the trucking yard, Jacquemain found a semi-truck loaded with tomatoes. It was later determined that the semi was used to transport the marijuana from California to Michigan. Police said the marijuana was unload into the van and was going to be distributed around Metro Detroit.

The sting led to a Drug Enforcement Administration investigation and other arrests around the county.

“Dave is just one example of many that are out there doing their best,” said Shelby Police Captain Roland Woelkers.

Jacquemain started his police career in Detroit as a patrol officer before joining the Shelby Township police force. He spent more than five years as an undercover narcotics officer before he returned to patrol last April.

“Det. Jacquemain’s outstanding work and his courage during this potentially dangerous encounter make him the worthy recipient of this prestigious award, Police officer of the Year 2010,” said Leman.