Manitoulin traffic stop leads to seizure of loaded firearm, drugs

An undated image of a parked UCCM Anishnaabe Police Service vehicle. (File photo/UCCM Anishnaabe Police Service/LinkedIn)

A traffic stop on Highway 540 within M’Chigeeng First Nation has resulted in drug and firearm-related charges for four individuals, including a teenager from Scarborough.

Members of the UCCM Anishnaabe Police Service initiated the stop on Feb. 26, while conducting a general patrol.

“During the investigation, it was determined that two of the four occupants within the vehicle were wanted on outstanding arrest warrants and were taken into custody without incident,” police said in a new release.

Following the arrests, police said officers searched the vehicle and located a loaded 9mm handgun, which was subsequently seized.

“Officers also located and seized suspected psilocybin, cannabis and cocaine,” said UCCM police.

Authorities estimated the street value of the substances seized as approximately $6,920.

“The UCCM Anishnaabe Police Service will continue to take proactive enforcement action to combat drug trafficking and the illegal possession of firearms,” police said. “We remain dedicated to protecting the safety and well-being of our communities.”

Charged in the incident are a 19-year-old man from Scarborough, along with a 36-year-old woman, a 40-year-old woman and a 43-year-old man, all from Sheshegwaning First Nation on Manitoulin Island.

Each of the four accused faces a series of charges, including possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, possession of a loaded prohibited or restricted firearm, unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm, transporting a firearm in a careless manner, two drug possession offences and three other firearm-related offences.

The 19-year-old faces additional charges of obstructing a peace officer, four counts of failing to comply with a probation order and four counts of possession of a firearm or ammunition contrary to a prohibition order.

The 36-year-old woman is also charged with driving a vehicle with cannabis readily available, failing to comply with an undertaking and four counts of possession of a firearm or ammunition contrary to a prohibition order.

The accused individuals appeared before the Ontario Court of Justice and were remanded into custody pending a bail hearing on Friday.