Four people — two locals and two out-of-towners — are facing a long list of charges after police raided an East Street residence yesterday.
Sault Police say detectives executed a search warrant in a unit of a residential building at around 3 p.m. Thursday.
They say two people were arrested inside, while another two jumped from the balcony.
One of the suspects landed on the ground while the second landed on a vehicle, damaging it. Both were quickly arrested, police say.
“A search of the residence located approximately 238 grams of suspected fentanyl, approximately 16 grams of suspected methamphetamine, packaging materials, weigh scales, a handgun, ammunition, and $1,857.10 in Canadian currency,” said a news release issued today by the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service.
“The total estimated street value of drugs seized is $37,474.50.”
Adam Arab, 18, of Newmarket, Ontario, is charged with:
- Unauthorized Possession of Firearm
- Possession of Weapon for Dangerous Purpose
- Possession of Prohibited or Restricted Firearm with Ammunition
- Possession of Schedule I Substance for Purpose of Trafficking x2
- Possession Property Obtained by Crime – Under $5,000
- Mischief – Under $5,000
- Knowledge of Unauthorized Possession of Firearm
- Careless Storage of Firearm, Weapon, Prohibited Device, or Ammunition x2
Jonathan Campbell, 41, of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, is charged with:
- Unauthorized Possession of Firearm
- Possession of Weapon for Dangerous Purpose
- Possession of Prohibited or Restricted Firearm with Ammunition
- Possession of Schedule I Substance for Purpose of Trafficking x2
- Possession Property Obtained by Crime – Under $5,000
- Knowledge of Unauthorized Possession of Firearm
- Careless Storage of Firearm, Weapon, Prohibited Device, or Ammunition x2
Shasta Leziert, 39, of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, is charged with:
- Unauthorized Possession of Firearm
- Possession of Weapon for Dangerous Purpose
- Possession of Prohibited or Restricted Firearm with Ammunition
- Possession of Schedule I Substance for Purpose of Trafficking x2
- Possession Property Obtained by Crime – Under $5,000
- Knowledge of Unauthorized Possession of Firearm
- Careless Storage of Firearm, Weapon, Prohibited Device, or Ammunition x2
- Possession of Firearm or Ammunition Contrary to Prohibition Order x2
- Fail to Comply with Probation Order x3
Shqwan Ross, 19, of Toronto, Ontario, is charged with:
- Unauthorized Possession of Firearm
- Possession of Weapon for Dangerous Purpose
- Possession of Prohibited or Restricted Firearm with Ammunition
- Possession of Schedule I Substance for Purpose of Trafficking x2
- Possession Property Obtained by Crime – Under $5,000
- Knowledge of Unauthorized Possession of Firearm
- Careless Storage of Firearm, Weapon, Prohibited Device, or Ammunition x2
“This investigation has once again revealed that criminals from outside our community are bringing in poison and profiting from the pain of our most vulnerable,” said Chief Hugh Stevenson.
“We are committed to using every resource at our disposal to find these drugs, remove them from our streets, and protect the people we serve.”
All four suspects remain in custody pending bail hearings. None of the allegations have been tested in court and each suspect is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
As SooToday reported earlier today, the details of yesterday's bust were released just hours after an alleged Toronto gang member — arrested last year in the Sault's largest-ever fentanyl bust — was granted release from custody pending his trial next year.
Including the above totals, so far this year, Sault Police have seized:
- $332,514 in illicit drugs
- 44 firearms
- $73,934.95 in Canadian currency