Powassan man faces a boatload of weapons and drug charges

A complaint of a man discharging a firearm on Lake Nipissing led to the execution of search warrants in the North Bay area that police say turned up illegal drugs and restricted weapons.

On August 17, members from the North Bay Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police assisted the North Bay Police Service with the Lake Nipissing firearm complaint. According to police, the complaint involved the accused firing into the lake.

Later that day, with the assistance of the OPP Community Street Crime Unit and the North Bay OPP Crime Unit, officers executed search warrants on a boat located at the North Bay Marina as well as a residence in Powassan. The OPP seized a number of firearms and suspected controlled drugs. The street value of the suspected drugs is estimated to be $11,151.

As a result of the investigation, a 41-year-old of Powassan man has been charged with:

• Careless Use of a Firearm, contrary to section 86(1) of the Criminal Code (CC);
• Breach of Firearms Regulation – Insecure Firearms – (15 counts), contrary to section 86(2) of the CC;
• Possession of a Restricted Weapon at Unauthorized Place – (two counts), contrary to section 95(b) of the CC;
• Possession of a Schedule I Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking – Cocaine – (two counts), contrary to section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances and Act (CDSA);
• Possession of a Schedule I Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking -Methamphetamine – (two counts), contrary to section 5(2) of the CDSA;
• Possession of a Schedule I Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking – Other Drugs – (two counts), contrary to section 5(2) of the CDSA;
• Possession of Prohibited or Restricted Firearm/Ammunition – (four counts), contrary to section 95(b) of the CC;
• Possession of a Schedule I Substance – Cocaine, contrary to section 4(1) of the CDSA; and with
• Possession of A Schedule II Substance – Cannabis Marihuana – over 30 grams, contrary to section 4(1) of the CDSA.

The accused is scheduled to appear at the Provincial Court of Justice in North Bay on September 18.