Sault police charge two, seize loaded handgun, $17K in suspected drugs

Sault Ste. Marie police seized $17,000 in suspected drugs, a loaded handgun and more than $5,000 in cash from a home on Arbor Drive.

Two Sault Ste. Marie residents are facing multiple charges after police seized a loaded handgun and a quantity of illicit drugs from a residence in the 0-100 block of Arbor Drive.

Detectives executed a search warrant at the residence around 4:30 p.m. on Monday. The two accused were located inside and taken into custody without incident.

A search of the residence led to the seizure of drugs, a weapon and other evidence.

Items seized include:

• a loaded handgun which had its serial number tampered with,
• approximately 99.62 grams of suspected fentanyl,
• about 14.14 grams of suspected cocaine,
• approximately 3.64 grams of suspected methamphetamine,
• a digital scale,
• drug packaging materials,
• three cell phones and
• more than $5,000 in cash.

“The total estimated street value of drugs seized is approximately $17,428,” said the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service in a news release Tuesday.

As a result of the investigation, a 51-year-old man and a 29-year-old woman have each been charged with two drug trafficking offences, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, unauthorized possession of a firearm, possession of a loaded prohibited or restricted firearm, possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm with ammunition, possession of a firearm knowing the serial number has been tampered with and four other firearm related offences.

The man is also charged with possession of property obtained by crime and four counts of possession of a firearm or ammunition contrary to a prohibition order.

The woman is also facing additional charges for drug possession (methamphetamine) and two counts of possession of property obtained by crime.

Both accused were held in custody pending a bail hearing.