Kingston, GTA residents charged with drug trafficking

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Two men from Kingston and another from Pickering have been charged in two separate investigations by the local street crimes unit.

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The charges stem from the unit's ongoing investigations into illicit drug and firearm trafficking in the city.

“Members of the Kingston Police Street Crime Unit continue to be diligent in their investigations and seizures of firearms in our community,” police said in a news release. “Statistics Canada reports a steady increase in gun violence in Canada year over year.”

“Street Crime will continue to work tirelessly to rid the streets of Kingston of individuals who possess and use these dangerous firearms for their own protection and intimidation.”

The initial investigation began last month when it was learned that a man was living near Wilson Street and Weller Avenue. Information gathered by Kingston police allowed them to obtain a search warrant for the man's home on June 25. Inside, officers found two Remington shotguns with 46 rounds of ammunition.

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As a result, the 62-year-old man was charged with eight firearms-related charges under the Criminal Code of Canada, including two counts of possession of a firearm without a licence, three counts of careless storage of firearms and ammunition, and one count each of possession of a dangerous weapon, altering a serial number on a firearm and possession of a restricted firearm without a licence.

He appeared in bail court and was remanded in custody. He is expected to appear again on Friday at 1pm.

Another investigation resulted in charges being laid against a 24-year-old Pickering man and a 38-year-old Kingston man on June 28.

In this case, a police officer was patrolling Leroy Grant Drive near Concession Street when he recognized the two men and learned that one of them was violating court-ordered bail conditions. For this reason, the man was immediately arrested.

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The second man fled the scene but was arrested without further incident a short distance away. Officers searched the area and discovered the man had disposed of a Glock pistol with a loaded 17-round magazine, illicit substances, cash and drug paraphernalia.

The Pickering resident has been charged with nine firearms-related charges under the Criminal Code, including possession of a prohibited firearm, possession of a firearm while prohibited from carrying a firearm, careless storage of a firearm and possession of proceeds of crime.

The Kingston man has been charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, possession of proceeds of crime and two counts of failing to comply with judicial release orders.

Both men appeared in bail court and were remanded in custody. The Pickering man is expected to reappear on July 9 at 1pm and the Kingston man is expected to reappear on Friday at 9am.

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