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Police lay drug trafficking charges, seize suspected cocaine, weapons from St. Catharines residence

Police say they seized $15,840 worth of Canadian currency and that controlled substances seized have a street value of $7,365

NEWS RELEASE
NIAGARA REGIONAL POLICE SERVICE
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Since March of 2020 members of the Guns, Gangs and Grows Unit and the Opioid Unit with the Niagara Regional Police Service, have been investigating the sale of cocaine from a St. Catharines residence, in the area of Weiden Street and Linwell Road.

The investigation led detectives to identify a male suspect, leading to an arrest on Thursday July 16, 2020 with the assistance of members of the Emergency Task Unit (ETU).

As a result, detectives seized a loaded 40 caliber handgun, additional ammunition for the firearm including hollow point style bullets, powder cocaine, crack cocaine and $15,840 in currency believed to be the proceeds of his drug sales. In addition, a BMW that was a part of the drug trafficking operation, was seized as offence related property. The controlled substances carry an estimated street value of $7,365.

Desron Phillips (25 years old) of St. Catharines was arrested and charged with the alleged following offences:

  • Possession of a schedule I substance (cocaine) for the purpose of trafficking
  • Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime over $5000
  • Unauthorized possession of a prohibited firearm
  • Possession prohibited firearm knowingly not holding licence
  • Careless storage of firearm
  • Careless storage of ammunition
  • Possession of a prohibited firearm with ammunition
  • Possession prohibited device for ammunition
  • Tampering with serial number of a firearm
  • Breach probation

Phillips is currently being held in custody pending a bail hearing on Thursday July 16, 2020 via video at the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse in the City of St. Catharines.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Niagara Regional Police at 905-688-4111 ext 2200.

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