NEWS RELEASE
NIAGARA REGIONAL POLICE
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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 on Oct. 6, 2020 when prohibited weapons were intercepted and seized by officers at the CBSA’s Vancouver International Mail Centre in Richmond, BC while processing and examining international mail.
On Nov. 3, investigators from the NRPS, OPP – PWEU and CBSA executed a search warrant at a business in the area of St. Paul Street West and McDonald Street.
Thomas C. Mitchell (75 years old) of St. Catharines was arrested and charged with the following offences of:
• Importation of a prohibited weapon(s) - C.C. sec 103(1)(a)
• Possession of a prohibited weapon - C.C. sec 92(2)
• Possession of a prohibited weapon - C.C. sec 92(2)
• Possession of a prohibited weapon - C.C. sec 92(2)
• Possession of a prohibited firearm - C.C. sec 91(1)
• Careless Storage of a firearm - C.C. sec 86(1)
• Careless Storage of ammunition- C.C. sec 86(1)
• Possession of schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking, to wit; Oxycodone - C.D.S.A. - sec 5(2)
• Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime over $5,000 - C.C. sec 355(a)
The CBSA also charged Mitchell with the following Customs Act offences:
• Smuggling – C.A., sec. 159
• Possession – C.A., sec. 155
• Evading compliance – C.A., sec 153(c)
Mitchell was held in custody for a bail hearing which he attended on Nov. 4, 2020.
Anyone with information is asked to contact 905-688-4111 ext. 2200.
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