Loaded handgun, thousands of pills seized in Thunder Bay drug trafficking probe

An undated police image of several parked Thunder Bay Police Service vehicle. (File photo/Thunder Bay Police Service/Facebook)

A months-long investigation by the Thunder Bay Police Service has resulted in drug trafficking charges against two people and the seizure of a loaded handgun, suspected narcotics and cash.

The investigation began in February after police received reports of drug trafficking in the city.

On March 5, 2026, officers located and arrested two suspects on Simpson Street.

“Suspected illegal drugs, cash, and other items associated with drug trafficking were seized,” police said in a news release.

Following the arrests, officers executed a search warrant at a property on Memorial Avenue. During that search, investigators located a loaded handgun, as well as substances believed to be crack cocaine, cocaine, hydromorphone and oxycodone.

“In total approximately 220 grams of suspected cocaine, 1,900 hydromorphone pills and 400 oxycodone pills were seized,” said police.

The police service said it estimates street value of the drugs seized is more than $63,000.

Multiple charged laid

As a result of the investigation, a 37-year-old from Etobicoke has been charged with three drug trafficking offences, possession of a loaded prohibited or restricted firearm, unauthorized possession of weapon, possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime, three counts of possession of a firearm or ammunition contrary to prohibition order and three other firearm related offences.

The accused from the Greater Toronto Area remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in court at a future date.

A Thunder Bay resident has also been charged with drug trafficking in connection with the incident. The local accused has been released from custody on an undertaking.