NEWS RELEASE
NIAGARA REGIONAL POLICE
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Detectives from the 3 District – Welland Street Crime Unit (SCU) of the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) are investigating the sale of illegal drugs in the cities of Welland and Thorold.
Beginning in January of 2023 3 District SCU detectives have been investigating illegal mobile drugs sales that also involved homes in Welland and Thorold. The investigation identified two suspects and two locations. On March 1, 2023, detectives were granted search warrants for the two residences and a black 2020 Hyundai Sonata.
Prior to the execution of the warrants, officers from the NRPS Emergency Task Unit (ETU) attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the Sonata and arrest the two suspects related to the investigation. The suspects attempted to flee and evade arrest, which resulted in a collision with two NRPS vehicles being operated by ETU officers. There were no injuries resulting from the collision. Damage to the NRPS vehicles is estimated to be $8,000.
The warrants at the two locations were subsequently executed with the assistance of the 2 District – Niagara Falls SCU, ETU, and the Canine Unit.
Searches of a residence on Explorer Way in Thorold, King Street in Welland, and one of the suspects at the time of his arrest resulted in the seizure of the following:
• A stolen loaded 9 mm SIG Sauer pistol, concealed between couch cushions in a living room. An additional three magazines and a total of 150 rounds of ammunition
• A drug processing and packaging station was located along with a quantity of fentanyl (suspected carfentanil) and crystal methamphetamine
• A total of 433 grams of fentanyl and 434 grams of crystal methamphetamine (estimated street value - $188,460)
• $3300 CDN cash as suspected proceeds of crime
Michael Amo Mensah (26 years) of Thorold has been arrested and charged with the criminal offences of:
• Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking Fentanyl (Sched I) (two counts)
• Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking Crystal Methamphetamine (Sched I) (two counts)
• Possession of Proceeds Obtained by Crime (two counts)
• Careless Storage of a Firearm
• Possession of a Firearm Not the Holder of a Licence to Possess
• Possession of Prohibited or Restricted Firearm with Ammunition
• Possession of a Weapon Obtained by Commission of Offence
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000
• Possess Weapon Contrary to Court Imposed Prohibition
Mensah was also charged with provincial offences under the Highway Traffic Act of Ontario related to the collision with the NRPS vehicles.
Soheyla Amara Malik (29 years – female) of Thorold has been arrested and charged with the criminal offences of:
• Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking Fentanyl (Sched I) (two counts)
• Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking Crystal Methamphetamine (Sched I) (two counts)
• Possession of Proceeds Obtained by Crime (two counts)
• Careless Storage of a Firearm
• Possession of a Firearm Not the Holder of a Licence to Possess
• Possession of Prohibited or Restricted Firearm with Ammunition
• Possession of a Weapon Obtained by Commission of Offence
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000
Mensah and Malik were both held in custody for a video bail hearing to the Robert S. K. Welch Courthouse in St. Catharines on March 2, 2023.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the lead detective by dialing 905-688-4111, option 3, ext. 1003300.
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 that leads to an arrest.
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