NEWS RELEASE
NIAGARA REGIONAL POLICE SERVICE
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Joint Investigation Leads to Weapons Charges A joint investigation has led to the arrest and seizure of weapons in Fort Erie.
The Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) working jointly with the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) – Provincial Weapons Enforcement Unit (PWEU) and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) have conducted an investigation into the illegal importation of prohibited weapons.
The investigation commenced in early February 2020 when a prohibited firearm suppressor device was intercepted and seized at the CBSA International Mail Processing Centre in Toronto.
On Feb. 19, 2020, investigators from the NRPS, OPP – PWEU, CBSA (Southern Ontario Region Investigations) with the assistance of the NRPS 2 District – Niagara Falls Street Crime Unit, and the Emergency Task Unit executed a search warrant at a Fort Erie residence in the area of Belleair Boulevard and Dominion Road. Preston M. Woods (36 years old) of Fort Erie was arrested and charged with the alleged Criminal Code (C.C.) of Canada offences of:
- Importation of a prohibited device - C.C. sec 103(1)(a)
- Possession of a prohibited device - C.C. sec 92(2)
- Possession of a prohibited weapon - C.C. sec 92(2) (2 Counts)
- Possession of a schedule I substance, to wit; cocaine, for the purpose of trafficking - CDSA sec 5(2)
- Possession of a schedule I substance, to wit; fentanyl, for the purpose of trafficking - CDSA sec 5(2)
- Possession of a schedule I substance, to wit; opioid "methadone" - CDSA sec 4(1)
- Possession of proceeds obtained by crime under $5000.00
- C.C. sec 355(b) possession of a prohibited device, contrary to prohibition order - C.C. sec 117.01(1)
- Possession of a prohibited weapon, contrary to prohibition order - C.C. sec 117.01(1) (2 Counts)
- Possession of ammunition, contrary to prohibition order - C.C. sec 117.01(1)
Woods is also charged with the alleged Customs Act (C.A.) offences of:
- Attempt to smuggle - C.A. sec. 159
- Possession of illegally imported goods – C.A. sec. 155
- Evasion of compliance – C.A. sec. 153(c) Woods was held in custody for a bail hearing which he attended on Feb. 20, 2020.
Woods remains in custody with his next anticipated court appearance via video link to the Robert S. K. Welch Courthouse in St. Catharines on Feb. 24, 2020.
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