Sarnia Police make significant seizure of $10,000 in cash, cocaine, and a loaded gun. February 27, 2021. (Photo Courtesy of Sarnia Police).Sarnia Police make significant seizure of $10,000 in cash, cocaine, and a loaded gun. February 27, 2021. (Photo Courtesy of Sarnia Police).
Sarnia

Traffic stop leads to seizure of loaded gun, cocaine

Two people from Toronto are facing charges after a major seizure by Sarnia Police.

On Friday, an officer observed a traffic violation which resulted in a car being stopped on Indian Road in Sarnia. The 24 year-old driver, Shamar Tynes of Toronto was arrested for driving while disqualified. Police said a passenger was also found in the car, 27 year-old Montekia Smith from Toronto.

A subsequent search of the vehicle found a loaded Glock semi-automatic handgun, allegedly within reach of the driver and passenger. A further search uncovered an additional magazine for the gun with a 30 round capacity, 98 grams of suspected cocaine and over $10,000 in cash. The total street value of the cocaine seized is over $10,000.

Along with driving while disqualified, the driver was charged with possession of a firearm while prohibited, possession of a firearm while knowing they are prohibited and breach of probation.

The driver and the passenger will both face charges of possession of a prohibited firearm, possession of a prohibited device, possession of a prohibited firearm with ammunition, unauthorized possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle, and possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking.

Police said that further investigation revealed that the firearm was reported stolen from a break and enter in York Region. As a result, both the driver and the passenger are jointly charged with possession of stolen property and possession of a firearm obtained by crime.

Both Tynes and Smith attended bail hearings in Sarnia Saturday morning and were both remanded in custody pending further hearings this week.

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