Make Safe Task Force Seizes Four Firearms
The Hamilton Police Service Make Safe task force seized four firearms and a quantity of illegal drugs during three search warrants yesterday. The taskforce was formed in response to the rise in the number of shootings in 2019.
On March 7, 2019, Hamilton Police executed search warrants at three Hamilton addresses and recovered two .22 calibre firearms, a .22 calibre rifle and a 9mm Makarov handgun. Police also seized 80 grams of crack cocaine and body armour.
“Thanks to the continued efforts from our Make Safe task force, supported by our various units, and the public, we have removed four firearms from our streets,” says Superintendent Ryan Diodati. “But there’s still more work to do. Every piece of information helps and we continue to encourage the public to come forward, either by contacting Detectives or anonymously through Crime Stoppers.”
The following individuals were charged:
|
Name |
Charges |
|
A 17-year-old Hamilton male |
Possession of prohibited weapon x2 Unauthorized possession of firearm x2 Knowledge of unauthorized possession of firearm x2 Prohibited firearm – loaded x2 Breach of probation x3 |
|
A 15-year-old Hamilton male |
Possession of prohibited weapon x2 Unauthorized possession of firearm x2 Knowledge of unauthorized possession of firearm x2 Prohibited firearm – loaded x2 Possession contrary to order x2Unauthorzed Breach of probation x9 |
|
Jonathan Bhatti (21), Hamilton Ahmed Gaafer (22), Hamilton Mehdi Ghorbani (21), Hamilton Joseph Koza (25), Hamilton 15-year-old Hamilton male Kaleed Rose (22), Hamilton
|
Unauthorized possession of firearm x2 Prohibited firearm – loaded x2 Careless Use, Carry, Storage & Transport of firearm, weapon, ammo Possession for the purposes of trafficking cocaine |
|
Terrance Guigue (20), Hamilton Brandon Legree (20), Hamilton Alia O’Flaherty (18), Hamilton |
Unauthorized possession of firearm x2 Prohibited firearm – loaded x2 Careless Use, Carry, Storage & Transport of firearm, weapon, ammo Possession for the purposes of trafficking cocaine Possession of Cocaine |
Hamilton has seen an increase in the number of shootings since the beginning of January 2019, which have mostly been attributed to drug trafficking. Hamilton Police remain committed to addressing gun violence and the illegal drug trade through the Make Safe task force.
If you have any information that would assist police in these investigations, please contact Detective Sergeant Jason Cattle at 905-546-3887. To provide information anonymously, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit an anonymous tip online at www.crimestoppershamilton.com.