Officers from the Vice and Drugs, Gangs and Weapons Units, seized illicit drugs valued at $220,000, cash and a firearm after a two-pronged investigation into local crime.

On Friday, October 30, 2020, members of the Hamilton Police Vice and Drugs Unit entered into an investigation of illicit drugs sales. Investigators received a judicial authorization to search two addresses in the City of Hamilton. While conducting surveillance on the addresses, one of the suspects was observed exiting the property and boarding an HSR bus. He was approached by a plain clothes Detective and arrested without incident. He was found to be in possession of a controlled substance along with a substantive amount of cash. Investigators then executed the two search warrants in relation to the suspect.

The locations included a residence in the area of Barton Street East and Lottridge Street and one near Charlton Avenue East and Catherine Street South.

As a result of the search warrant executions at the two locations, police seized a quantity of Canadian currency and Cocaine.

Three adults were arrested in relation to this investigation. They appeared at the John Sopinka Courthouse for a Bail Hearing on Saturday, October 31, 2020 and were jointly charged with drug trafficking-related offences.

SEIZED· 2.2 kilograms of cocaine valued at approximately $220,000· Canadian currency in excess of $20,000

CHARGED· Mahamud Ibrahim, male, 39 –years-of-age from Hamilton · Marcela Manriquez, female, 34-years-of-age from Whitby

CHARGES· Possession of a controlled substance - Cocaine· Possession of proceeds of crime under $5000

CHARGED· Male 34-years -of age, of no fixed address

CHARGES· Possession of a controlled substance - Cocaine• Possession of proceeds of crime under $5000· Possession of proceeds of crime over $5000

After the execution of the search warrants, the Drug Unit assisted the Gangs and Weapons Unit who were in the midst of an ongoing investigation into the illegal sale of a firearm in Hamilton. The teams attended a commercial property in the area of Barton Street East and Woodward Avenue, at which time they witnessed a transaction sale involving an assault rifle. The sellers, a Hamilton couple were arrested without incident and taken into custody. They were later released and are scheduled to appear at the John Sopinka Courthouse on Monday, December 7, 2020, to answer to charges related to firearm possession.

A black assault-style rifle was seized as evidence.

CHARGED· 30–year-old Hamilton man· 22-year-old Hamilton woman

CHARGES· Knowledge of unauthorized possession a firearm· Trafficking a firearm

NOTE: The male was additionally charged with Possession firearm contrary to order

SEIZED· AK47 Assault Style rifle

If you have any information that you believe could assist Police with the investigation into this crime, you are asked to contact Detective Sergeant Jason Cattle by calling 905-546-3887.

To provide information anonymously call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit your anonymous tips online at http://www.crimestoppershamilton.com