NEWS RELEASE
NIAGARA REGIONAL POLICE SERVICE
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In the summer of 2022, detectives from the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) 1 District – St. Catharines Street Crime Unit began an investigation into the sale of illegal drugs from a downtown St. Catharines address.
On Aug. 8, 2022, the 1 District Street Crime Unit with the assistance of the 2 District – Niagara Falls, and 3 District - Welland Street Crime Units, executed two search warrants, one at a St. Catharines address and one in Niagara Falls. The Street Crime Units were also assisted by the NRPS Emergency Task Unit.
As a result of the search warrants detectives seized:
- 418 grams of methamphetamine
- 260 grams of fentanyl
- 22 grams of cocaine
- A loaded Glock 45 pistol
- A modified shotgun
- $21,280 in currency
The estimated street value of the drugs is $122,000.
Three adults and one youth have been arrested and charged. Mustafa Nantambu, 24 years old, of Mississauga, Ashley Taylor Mitchell, 28 years old, of St. Catharines, Katelyn Victoria Casson, 38 years old, of St. Catharines, and a 14-year-old male from Toronto are charged with the criminal offences of:
- Possession for the purpose of trafficking (methamphetamine) - Section 5(2) CDSA
- Possession for the purpose of trafficking (fentanyl) - Section 5(2) CDSA
- Possession for the purpose of trafficking (cocaine) - Section 5(2) CDSA
- Possession of a restricted or prohibited firearm knowingly not holding a licence - Section 92(1) CC – (2 Counts)
- Possession of firearm knowing the serial number has been tampered with - Section 108(1)(b) CC
- Careless storage of a firearm - Section 86(1) CC – (2 Counts)
- Possession of a restricted or prohibited firearm with ammunition - Section 95(1)
- Possession of a prohibited device or ammunition - Section 88(1) CC
- Possession of proceeds of crime over $5000 - Section 355(a) CC
- Possession of prohibited device - Section 92(2) CC
All four persons were held in custody and will attend a video bail hearing on Aug. 9, 2022, at the Robert S. K. Welch Courthouse in St. Catharines.
The Youth Criminal Justice Act of Canada prohibits the NRPS from releasing the identity of charged persons under 18 years of age.
Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to contact detectives by calling 905-688-4111, extension 1024233.
Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to persons who contact the program with information which leads to an arrest.
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