THUNDER BAY – CRIME BEAT – A major seizure of drugs, contraband cash and restricted guns kept Thunder Bay Police and the Drug Enforcement Unit and Guns and Gangs Unit busy on Wednesday. Officers with the assistance of the Emergency Task Unit executed a Controlled Drug and Substances Act search warrant on a residence situated in the 400 block of St. Patrick’s Square Thunder Bay.
This stemmed from an investigation that was commenced in early 2012 on two males from Ottawa who were believed to be trafficking Cocaine and Oxycodone in Thunder Bay. One of the males had been arrested in Quebec on weapons and illegal drug charges. The investigation continued on the second male who had taken up residence in Thunder Bay.
Drugs and Guns Seized
Search of the residence resulted in the seizure of a 9 millimeter Ruger handgun loaded with ammunition, a second 9 millimeter magazine loaded with ammunition, 575 rounds of 9 millimeter ammunition, approximately 938 – 80 milligram tablets of Oxycodone, 111 grams of Cocaine, 4 grams of Marijuana, and approximately $28,600.00 in Canadian currency. The street value of all drugs seized is approximately $180,000.00. The 9 millimeter Ruger was previously reported stolen in 2007 to police.
Arash SAYVARD 24 years of age was arrested without incident at a local coffee establishment. His vehicle was subsequently seized and searched.
SAYVARD is facing criminal charges of;
Possession of Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking s. 5(2) CDSA
Possession of Oxycodone for the Purpose of Trafficking s. 5(2) CDSA
Possession of Marijuana s. 4 CDSA
Proceeds of Crime exceeding $5,000.00 s. 354(1)(a) CCC
Careless storage of a firearm s.86(1) CCC
Careless storage of ammunition s. 86(1) CCC
Unauthorized possession of a firearm s. 91(1) CCC
Possession of prohibited ammunition s. 92(2) CCC
Possession of a loaded restricted firearm s. 95(a) CCC
Possession of restricted firearm obtained by crime s. 96 CCC
SAYVARD was held in custody and had a court appearance on June 20, 2013. He was remanded into custody and will appear in Thunder Bay court on June 2 ,013.
Police advise that a handgun could sell on the street for up to $5,000.00 and that ammunition is currently selling for approximately $30 per round in locations in Southern Ontario, therefore the potential street value of the seized Ruger and ammunition if sold would be approximately $25,000.00.
Facing a drug problem alone can be really tough. Thankfully, you can always call a hotline for substance abusers that will give you the kind of advice you need.
The Combined Forces Organized Crime Unit consists of members from The Thunder Bay Police Service, The O.P.P.- Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau, The R.C.M.P., The Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service and The Anishinabek Police Service.
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