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Loaded sawed-off shotgun seized during Schafer Avenue arrest

Officers also found suspected fentanyl
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Police seized a saw-off shotgun during an arrest on Schafer Avenue on Monday, Nov. 14, 2022

One person has been arrested and faces numerous firearms and drug charges after police seized a loaded sawed-off shotgun and suspected fentanyl yesterday morning.

Officers responded to a Wellington Street West address at approximately 8 a.m. after receiving reports of a person in the area with a gun.

The accused, 35-year-old Jamel Harris, was located and arrested on Schafer Avenue a short time later.

Full text of a news release from the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service follows:

On Nov. 14, 2022, officers with Patrol Services charged 35-year-old Jamel Harris with weapon and drug offences.

Around 8 a.m., officers responded to the 600 block of Wellington Street West after receiving reports of someone walking in the area with a gun. Upon arrival, officers observed a person matching the description provided walking on Schafer Avenue. Upon approaching the person, later identified as the accused, they threw a wallet on the ground. The accused was placed under investigative detention.

Upon investigating the wallet, officers located approximately 6.06 grams of a substance believed to be fentanyl. The accused was arrested. While conducting a search of the accused and the area, officers located a loaded sawed-off shotgun and ammunition.

The accused is charged with:
    •    Careless use of a firearm, weapon, ammunition
    •    Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
    •    Carrying a concealed weapon
    •    Unauthorized possession of a firearm
    •    Possession of a weapon knowing possession is prohibited
    •    Possession of prohibited or restricted firearm with ammunition
    •    Possession of a controlled substance

The accused was held in custody pending a bail hearing.