NEWS RELEASE
NIAGARA REGIONAL POLICE SERVICE
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In May 2022, Niagara Regional Police Service street crime detectives assigned to 1 District (St. Catharines / Thorold) commenced an investigation into the distribution of illegal drugs throughout the City of St. Catharines and Thorold.
In the afternoon of June 21st, 2022, detectives with the assistance of the NRPS Emergency Task Unit conducted a traffic stop on the suspects vehicle on Burdette Drive near Pettit Avenue, in the City of Niagara Falls. Search incident to arrest resulted in the seizure of a loaded Smith and Wesson handgun, a loaded Glock 45 handgun, 4.5 grams of fentanyl, and 1.8 grams of cocaine.
Following the arrest, detectives applied for and received judicial authorization to execute a search warrant at a Niagara Falls Hotel, located in the area of Stanley Avenue and Robinson Street. The search resulted in the seizure of 139.4 grams of cocaine and 60.6 grams of fentanyl. The combined total of all drugs seized is estimated to be $40,000.00.
Joshua Clottey (19 years) of Brampton was arrested and charged with the following offences:
• Possession for the purpose of trafficking fentanyl – CDSA
• Possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine – CDSA
• Possession of a restricted/prohibited firearm without holding a licence x2 – CC
• Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime under $5000 – CC
• Possession of a restricted/prohibited firearm with ammunition x2 – CC
• Unauthorized possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle x2 – CC
• Possession of a prohibited device or ammunition x2 – CC
• Carrying a concealed weapon x2 – CC
• Careless storage of a firearm x2 – CC
Thshane Edwards (19 years) of Brampton was arrested and charged with the following offences:
• Possession for the purpose of trafficking fentanyl – CDSA
• Possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine – CDSA
• Possession of a restricted/prohibited firearm without holding a licence x2 – CC
• Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime under $5000 – CC
• Possession of a restricted/prohibited firearm with ammunition x2 – CC
• Unauthorized possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle x2 – CC
• Possession of a prohibited device or ammunition x2 – CC
• Carrying a concealed weapon x2 – CC
• Careless storage of a firearm x2 – CC
Both Clottey and Edwards were held for a bail hearing on June 22, 2022, via video link to the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse, located at 59 Church Street in the City of St. Catharines. Both Clottey and Edwards were remanded into custody and are presently being held at the Niagara Detention Centre.
Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to contact the lead detective at 905-688-4111, dial option #3, extension #1009389.
Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously are encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to persons who contact the program with information that leads to an arrest.
