An investigation undertaken by members of both the Tyendinaga Police Service (TPS) and the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Community Street Crime Unit (CSCU) has culminated in the execution of two search warrants and the seizure of a quantity of illegal firearms, drugs and other items.
In the early morning hours of Dec. 17, officers from the OPP and TPS, assisted by the OPP’s Tactics and Rescue (TRU) and Emergency Response Units executed two search warrants on residences located in the Town of Deseronto and on the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory.
Police seized a quantity of restricted and illegal firearms from the two residences including a handgun along with a flamethrower and a conducted energy weapon. Additionally, police have also seized substances believed to be cocaine and methamphetamine, over $8,000 in Canadian currency and various pieces of drug paraphernalia.
Seven individuals were arrested during the execution of the search warrants resulting in charges against four people.
A 34-year-old and 25-year-old, both of Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, with:
· Three counts of possession of a weapon for dangerous purpose;
· Four counts of possession of a prohibited device or ammunition;
· Unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm;
· Unauthorized possession of a firearm;
· Unsafe storage of a firearm;
· Possession of a firearm knowing a serial number has been tampered with; and
· Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime, all contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada.
A 50-year-old of Deseronto has been charged with:
- Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime;
- Unauthorized possession of a firearm; and
- Careless storage of a firearm, all contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada.
A 36-year-old of Scarborough, has been charged with:
- Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime;
- Unauthorized possession of a firearm;
- Careless storage of a firearm;
- Breach of Recognizance; and
- Possession of a firearm contrary to a prohibition order, all contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada.
Additionally, all four of the accused people were further charged with:
· Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking (cocaine); and
· Possession of Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking (methamphetamine), both contrary to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
All of the accused were released from police custody and are scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Greater Napanee on February 22, 2021.
Inspector Scott Semple, detachment commander of the Lennox & Addington (L&A) County OPP Detachment, said Friday that “This investigation highlights the close working relationship between the OPP and our partners at the Tyendinaga Police Service. Additionally, it serves as a stark reminder that guns and drugs are not only a problem in major urban centres but also here in our own communities as well. The OPP and TPS will continue to work diligently together, and with our other municipal and federal policing partners, to disrupt this dangerous and destructive criminal activity in support of our vision: safe communities and a secure Ontario”.