The Northumberland OPP have arrested and charged two individuals following an incident involving theft of firearms.
On November 23, 2024, police responded to a report regarding the theft of a number of firearms from an address in the Township of Hamilton. The complainant believed the weapons were stolen in the previous two weeks. The majority of the firearms were recovered, however, among the unaccounted firearms were shotguns and rifles.
OPP began an investigation and on November 24, 2024, officers made an arrest in relation to the incident of theft.
Andrew Drysdale, 32 years old, from Hamilton Township, has been charged with:
– Unauthorized possession of a firearm – 14 counts
– Possession of a weapon obtained by crime – 14 counts
– Possession for the purpose of weapons trafficking
– Transfer a firearm without authority
– Knowledge of unauthorized possession of a firearm
– Theft over $5,000
On November 24, 2024, around 11 p.m., officers assisted by the Community Street Crime Unit, Emergency Response Team and the Tactics and Rescue Unit, executed a search warrant at a location on John Street in the Town of Cobourg.
Among the items seized were rifles, shotguns, ammunition, a cellphone and approximately 17 grams of suspected Fentanyl with a street value of around $3,000.
As a result of the search, one individual was arrested and taken into custody.
Benjamin Staples, 46 years old, has been charged with:
– Unauthorized possession of a firearm – 14 counts
– Possession of a weapon obtained by crime – 14 counts
– Possession of a firearm contrary to a prohibition order
– Knowledge of unauthorized possession of a firearm
– Transfer firearm without authority
– Breach of firearms regulation – store firearm or restricted weapon
– Traffick in Schedule I Substance – Fentanyl.
This investigation is ongoing and anyone with information regarding this or any incident is asked to call the OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or email www.stopcrimehere.ca.
