A vehicle collision in Addington Highlands Township resulted in handgun and drug charges for four individuals.
On January 16, 2024, a little after 10:00 a.m., the L&A OPP responded to a call about a single motor vehicle collision on Highway 7, just east of Kellar Road. Upon arrival, four males were found outside the vehicle, which had slid off the road and into a guardrail. Although the vehicle was damaged, no injuries were reported.
While talking to the individuals, the police detected a strong odor of cannabis and open alcohol in the vehicle. Upon searching the vehicle, the police discovered alcohol, a loaded hand gun, approximately 7 pills of suspected codeine, 5.14 grams of suspected methamphetamines, 80.07 grams of suspected cocaine, and 11.92 grams of suspected fentanyl. Consequently, all four males were placed under arrest.
As a result of this investigation, L&A County OPP has charged 23-year-old Isaiah Banton of Toronto with:
- Failure to comply with release order
- Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – methamphetamine
- Unauthorized possession of a weapon
- Occupant of a motor vehicle knowing there was firearm
- Careless use of a firearm, weapon, prohibited device or ammunition
- Knowledge of unauthorized possession of a fire arm
- Possession of a schedule I substance – opioid
- Tampering with a serial number of a firearm
- Possession of a firearm knowing serial number has been tampered with
- Possession of weapon for dangerous purpose
- Possession property obtained by crime under $5,000
- Fail to comply with probation order
- Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – cocaine
- Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – other drugs
- Possession of loaded prohibited or restricted firearm
54-year-old Clive Ferguson of Brampton with:
- Failure to comply with undertaking
- Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – cocaine
- Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – other drugs
- Possession of loaded prohibited or restricted firearm
- Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – methamphetamine
- Unauthorized possession of a weapon
- Occupant of a motor vehicle knowing there was firearm
- Careless use of a firearm, weapon, prohibited device or ammunition
- Knowledge of unauthorized possession of a fire arm
- Possession of a schedule I substance – opioid
- Tampering with a serial number of a firearm
- Possession of a firearm knowing serial number has been tampered with
- Possession of weapon for dangerous purpose
- Possession property obtained by crime under $5,000
- Operate a motor vehicle without insurance
- Drive motor vehicle with open container of liquor
- Drive motor vehicle or boat with cannabis readily available
30-year-old Hamad Shomari of Toronto with:
- Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – methamphetamine
- Unauthorized possession of a weapon
- Occupant of a motor vehicle knowing there was firearm
- Careless use of a firearm, weapon, prohibited device or ammunition
- Knowledge of unauthorized possession of a fire arm
- Possession of a schedule I substance – opioid
- Tampering with a serial number of a firearm
- Possession of a firearm knowing serial number has been tampered with
- Possession of weapon for dangerous purpose
- Possession property obtained by crime under $5,000
- Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – cocaine
- Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – other drugs
- Possession of loaded prohibited or restricted firearm
And 32-year-old David Jajua of Mississauga with:
- Failure to comply with release order – two counts
- Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – cocaine
- Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – other drugs
- Possession of loaded prohibited or restricted firearm
- Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – methamphetamine
- Unauthorized possession of a weapon
- Occupant of a motor vehicle knowing there was firearm
- Careless use of a firearm, weapon, prohibited device or ammunition
- Knowledge of unauthorized possession of a fire arm
- Possession of a schedule I substance – opioid
- Tampering with a serial number of a firearm
- Possession of a firearm knowing serial number has been tampered with
- Possession of weapon for dangerous purpose
- Possession property obtained by crime under $5,000
- Possession of a firearm or ammunition contrary to probation order – eight counts
All accused were held for a bail hearing and are scheduled to appear in court in Greater Napanee on a later date.
Lennox & Addington County OPP Detachment Provincial Constable David Yome would like to say, “This is another great example of teamwork leading to safer communities. If you see something, say something. Your vigilance matters. If you observe any suspicious activity, please report it immediately to police. Together, we can keep our communities safe.”
Written by Emily Chatwood