Loaded gun, drugs and cash seized

A Guelph man faces drug and weapons charges after police seized a loaded handgun, fentanyl and cocaine Monday evening.

Approximately 7:40 p.m. members of the Guelph Police Service Drug Enforcement Unit stopped a rideshare vehicle and arrested the passenger, who had been the subject of an ongoing trafficking investigation.

Officers located a loaded .45-calibre pistol in a satchel. Further searches revealed quantities of fentanyl and cocaine with an estimated value of $6,200 as well as more than $11,000 cash. Investigation revealed the man is bound by several weapons prohibitions.

A 44-year-old Guelph man is charged with two counts of possessing a prohibited firearm, two counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking, possessing proceeds of crime over $5,000 and five counts of possessing a weapon while prohibited. He was held for a bail hearing Tuesday.

“Illegal firearms and the trafficking of illicit substances continue to pose very real threats to the safety of our community,” said Chief of Police Gord Cobey. “We remain committed to addressing this illegal activity through targeted enforcement and intelligence-led policing. Those who endanger the safety of our citizens can expect to be held accountable.”