(BALDWIN TOWSHIP, ON)- Police seize loaded handgun, Canadian currency and a large amount of drugs.
On September 16, 2024, at approximately 2:00 a.m., the Manitoulin Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were conducting a Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (R.I.D.E.) initiative on Highway 17 in Mckerrow.
At approximately 2:00 a.m., a black Suburban entered the RIDE program. While speaking to the driver, police detected the smell of freshly burned cannabis that was emanating from inside the vehicle. A subsequent search of the vehicle ensued with police locating a loaded 9mm Glock handgun, ammunition, over $1200 in Canadian currency, suspected cannabis marihuana, over four kilos of suspected cocaine, over 2400 tablets of suspected Hydromorphone tablets (approximate street value of the drugs $300,000).
As a result, the driver, Shahab, STANIKZAI, 43 years-old from Irondale, was charged with:
- Possession of prohibited or restricted firearm with ammo
- Possession of loaded prohibited or restricted firearm
- Occupant of motor vehicle knowing there was a prohibited weapon or restricted weapon
- Unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm
- Carrying concealed weapon
- Possession of a weapon for dangerous purpose
- Possession of property obtained by crime over $5000
- Transport firearm, weapon, prohibited device or ammunition in a careless manner
- Possession of a schedule I substance for trafficking-cocaine
- Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking-opioid (other than heroin)
- Drive vehicle or boat with cannabis readily available
The front passenger Ali HAMAT, 40 years-old from Mississauga was charged with:
- Possession of prohibited or restricted firearm with ammo
- Possession of loaded prohibited or restricted firearm
- Occupant of motor vehicle knowing there was a prohibited weapon or restricted weapon
- Unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm
- Carrying concealed weapon
- Possession of a weapon for dangerous purpose
- Possession of property obtained by crime over $5000
- Transport firearm, weapon, prohibited device or ammunition in a careless manner
- Possession of a schedule I substance for trafficking-cocaine
- Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking-opioid (other than heroin)
The rear passenger Manasseh OSEI TUTU, 30 years-old from Brampton was charged with:
- Possession of prohibited or restricted firearm with ammo
- Possession of loaded prohibited or restricted firearm
- Occupant of motor vehicle knowing there was a prohibited weapon or restricted weapon
- Unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm
- Carrying concealed weapon
- Possession of a weapon for dangerous purpose
- Possession of property obtained by crime over $5000
- Transport firearm, weapon, prohibited device or ammunition in a careless manner
- Possession of a schedule I substance for trafficking-cocaine
- Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking-opioid (other than heroin)
The three (3) accused appeared before the Ontario Court of Justice Bail Court in Espanola on September 16, 2024, and were remanded into custody.
