Two men are facing several charges after a traffic stop in St. James, Manitoba turned up a modified shotgun, ammunition, drugs, and cash. The incident took place on Friday morning when General Patrol officers responded to a call regarding a suspicious vehicle and occupants at the intersection of Century Street and Saskatchewan Avenue. Upon their arrival, officers identified the occupants, one of whom was wanted on an outstanding Canada-wide warrant.
Following a search of both the vehicle and the men, police found a modified 12-gauge shotgun, ammunition, two knives, two cellular phones, around 35 grams of cocaine, 96 Xanax pills, and approximately $6,800 in cash. The estimated street value of the cocaine was $3,500.
The two men, aged 30 and 23, have been charged with unauthorized possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle, and other firearms offences. The 30-year-old has also been charged with possession of cocaine and Xanax for the purpose of trafficking, while the 23-year-old was charged on the outstanding warrant. Both men were detained in custody.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of public vigilance and reporting suspicious activities. Authorities also lauded the efforts of the Manitoba Criminal Intelligence Centre, whose recent bulletin assisted in identifying the wanted male suspect. The incident also highlights the prevalence of drug trafficking in many communities and the danger it poses to public safety. Police and other authorities continue to work towards combating the issue and apprehending those who engage in such activities.