NEWS RELEASE
NIAGARA REGIONAL POLICE SERVICE
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On March 11, 2021, the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) 2 District Criminal Investigative Branch began an investigation into fraudulent pharmaceutical prescriptions in Niagara Falls.
The investigation determined that a male, who had what appeared to be a valid prescription had requested that a family member attend the pharmacy to pick up the prescription. The male had advised that they were suffering from COVID-19 and self-isolating.
Four males arrived at the pharmacy in Niagara Falls in the area of Valley Way and Stanley Avenue. The males arrived in a black 2018, 4 door Honda Accord (Ontario licence plate). One of the males passed a fraudulent prescription in an effort to obtain liquid hydrocodone.
Officers arrived on scene and arrested all four males.
William Sprague, (22 years old), of Ottawa has been arrested and charged with the offences of:
- Commit and indictable offence, to wit, fraudulently obtaining an prescription. Section-465(1)(c) CCC
- Conspiracy to commit and indictable offence, to wit, obtaining and possessing a schedule 1 Substance contrary to the CDSA - hycodan (Hydrocodone Liquid) Section-465(1)(c) CCC
- Possession of a schedule 1 substance - to wit, percocet (Oxycodone) Contrary to Section 4(10) - CDSA
Zakariah Mohamud, (22 years old), of Ottawa has been arrested and charged with the offences of:
- Conspiracy to commit and indictable offence, to wit, fraudulently obtaining an prescription. Section-465(1)(c) CCC
- Conspiracy to commit and indictable offence, to wit, obtaining and possessing a schedule 1 substance contrary to the CDSA - hycodan (Hydrocodone Liquid) Section-465(1)(c) CCC
- Possession of a schedule 1 substance - to wit, percocet (Oxycodone) Contrary to Section 4(10) – CDSA (2 Counts)
Ahmed Sahil Waziry (23 years old), of Ottawa has been arrested and charged with the offences of:
- Conspiracy to commit and indictable offence, to wit, fraudulently obtaining an prescription. Section-465(1)(c) CCC
- Conspiracy to commit and indictable offence, to wit, obtaining and Possessing a schedule 1 substance contrary to the CDSA - hycodan (Hydrocodone Liquid) Section-465(1)(c) CCC
- Possession of a schedule 1 substance - to wit, percocet (Oxycodone) Contrary to Section 4(10) - CDSA
Hassan Mairane, (23 years old), Ottawa has beena arrested and charged with the offences of:
- Conspiracy to commit and indictable offence, to wit, fraudulently obtaining an prescription. Section-465(1)(c) CCC
- Conspiracy to commit and indictable offence, to wit, obtaining and possessing a schedule 1 substance contrary to the CDSA - hycodan (Hydrocodone Liquid) Section-465(1)(c) CCC
- Possession of a schedule 1 substance - to wit, percocet (Oxycodone) Contrary to Section 4(10) – CDSA (2 Counts)
All four males were held in custody for a video bail hearing at the Robert S. K. Welch Courthouse in St. Catharines on March 12, 2021.
The black Honda has been seized as part of the investigation.
Police believe that there will be similar incidents with the same males and vehicle across Ontario. Anyone with information regarding this incident or similar incidents are requested to contact detective Josh Harris at [email protected] or 905-688-4111, extension 1029667.
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