NEWS RELEASE
WATERLOO REGIONAL POLICE
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In just over one week, Waterloo Regional Police have executed 14 warrants, seizing a significant amount of illegal drugs and weapons.
The warrants - completed throughout Waterloo Region, Toronto, Maple, and Paris - are related to crimes including drug trafficking, firearms offences, child pornography, and armed robbery.
As a result of the warrants, 14 people have been arrested and face numerous charges ranging from drug possession for the purpose of trafficking, pointing a firearm, robbery with a firearm, unsafe storage of a firearm, and making available child pornography.
“These seizures have put a significant dent in illegal crime in our community and will have a positive impact on public safety throughout the Region,” said Bryan Larkin, Chief of Police. “These investigations require extensive time and resources, and I am proud of the tireless work put in by all members of our Service who are committed to protecting our most vulnerable, as well as disrupting illegal trafficking and gun violence.”
Warrants completed include the following:
March 3, 2021 – Drugs and Firearms Unit completed a search warrant in Kitchener, seizing drugs, currency, firearms, and ammunition. A 31-year-old Kitchener female has been arrested and charged with several drugs and weapons-related offences.
March 4, 2021 – Cybercrime Unit completed warrants in Kitchener and New Hamburg related to child pornography, seizing multiple digital devices as evidence. As a result, a 33-year-old New Hamburg male was arrested and charged with Possession of Child Pornography. A 33-year-old Kitchener male was also arrested and charged with Making Available Child Pornography and Possession of Child Pornography.
March 5, 2021 - Criminal Intelligence Unit completed two warrants in Kitchener, seizing drugs, currency, firearms, and ammunition. As a result, a 31-year-old male, 29-year-old male, 28-year-old female, and 21-year-old male, all from Kitchener, were arrested and charged with numerous drugs and firearms related offences.
March 5, 2021 – Drugs and Firearms Unit completed a warrant in Cambridge, seizing drugs, prohibited weapons, and imitation firearms. As a result, a 48-year-old male and a 39-year-old female, both from Cambridge, were arrested and charged with twenty-four criminal offences.
March 9, 2021 – Drugs and Firearms Unit completed a warrant in Kitchener, seizing ammunition. As a result, a 35-year-old female was arrested.
March 9, 2021 – General Investigations Unit completed three search warrants – one in Kitchener, one in Listowel, and one on a motor vehicle – as a result of a road rage investigation. Officers seized two loaded handguns, ammunition, and long guns. As a result, a 45-year-old male was arrested and charged with numerous firearms and criminal code offences.
March 10, 2021 – Robbery team completed two search warrants in Toronto in relation to an armed robbery in Waterloo in February. As a result, a 21-year-old male was arrested.
March 11, 2021 – Robbery team, with the assistance of York Regional Police, completed two search warrants in Maple and Paris in relation to an armed robbery involving the theft of a motor vehicle in Kitchener. Officers seized a significant amount of drugs, currency and three imitation firearms. As a result, two youths were arrested. One additional youth remains outstanding.
As a result of the search warrants various quantities of suspected illegal drugs were seized:
- Cocaine
- Fentanyl
- Crystal methamphetamine
- Ecstasy
- Psilocybin
- Crack-cocaine
- Hydromorphone pills
- Alprazalam (Xanex) pills
The street value of all drugs seized is approximately $220,000.
Police also seized the following in the above search warrants:
- More than 3,000 rounds of ammunition
- Three loaded handguns
- One rifle
- One shotgun
- Nine imitation firearms
- 20 edged weapons
- One set of brass knuckles
- One crossbow
- One archery bow
- One canister of bear spray
- More than $20,000 in currency
The Waterloo Regional Police Service remains committed to combating illegal crime in the community. If you know of, or if you suspect, any type of illegal activity, please call police at 519-570-9777 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, or 9-1-1 in an emergency situation.
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