Three people from southern Ontario face numerous charges following a RIDE stop on Highway 17 in McKerrow earlier this week that uncovered $300,000 worth of illicit drugs.
At around 2 a.m. on Sept. 16, Manitoulin OPP says officers were conducting a RIDE program when they stopped a black Suburban that allegedly smelled like burned cannabis.
Police say they searched the vehicle and located a loaded 9mm Glock handgun, ammunition, over $1,200 in Canadian currency, suspected cannabis marihuana, over four kilos of suspected cocaine, and over 2,400 tablets of suspected hydromorphone tablets.
The driver, 43-year-old Shahab Stanikzai of Irondale, Ont., is charged with:
- Possession of prohibited or restricted firearm with ammo
- Possession of loaded prohibited or restricted firearm
- Occupant of motor vehicle knowing there was a prohibited weapon or restricted weapon
- Unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm
- Carrying concealed weapon
- Possession of a weapon for dangerous purpose
- Possession of property obtained by crime over $5000
- Transport firearm, weapon, prohibited device or ammunition in a careless manner
- Possession of a schedule I substance for trafficking-cocaine
- Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking-opioid (other than heroin)
- Drive vehicle or boat with cannabis readily available
The front passenger, 40-year-old Ali Hamat of Mississauga, charged with:
- Possession of prohibited or restricted firearm with ammo
- Possession of loaded prohibited or restricted firearm
- Occupant of motor vehicle knowing there was a prohibited weapon or restricted weapon
- Unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm
- Carrying concealed weapon
- Possession of a weapon for dangerous purpose
- Possession of property obtained by crime over $5000
- Transport firearm, weapon, prohibited device or ammunition in a careless manner
- Possession of a schedule I substance for trafficking-cocaine
- Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking-opioid (other than heroin)
The rear passenger, 30-year-old Manasseh Osei Tutu of Brampton, is charged with:
- Possession of prohibited or restricted firearm with ammo
- Possession of loaded prohibited or restricted firearm
- Occupant of motor vehicle knowing there was a prohibited weapon or restricted weapon
- Unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm
- Carrying concealed weapon
- Possession of a weapon for dangerous purpose
- Possession of property obtained by crime over $5000
- Transport firearm, weapon, prohibited device or ammunition in a careless manner
- Possession of a schedule I substance for trafficking-cocaine
- Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking-opioid (other than heroin)
All three appeared in bail court in Espanola on Sept. 16 and were remanded into custody.
None of the allegations have been tested in court and all three suspects are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.