Yesterday afternoon, the Hamilton Police Central High Enforcement Action Team (HEAT) was in the area of an encampment on Wellington Street South and Hunter Street East when they observed two youths approach. One youth went inside a tent for a short period while the other stood watch outside. The youths then proceeded to another encampment in the area of East Avenue South and Hunter Street East – Bishop’s Park. Again, one youth entered a tent while the other kept watch outside.

The youths then moved to the area of Ferguson Station, where they met up with a third youth. While seated on a bench at Ferguson Station, the youth who had been entering tents took out a digital scale and placed it on the bench beside him. Shortly thereafter, he weighed some substance, and police observed a hand-to-hand drug transaction. 

All three youths were arrested after the third drug transaction was observed. One youth was found to be in possession of 2.35g of fentanyl, 19 hydromorphone pills, and $74.30 in Canadian Currency. He appeared in court today.

Charged:
16-year-old male youth

Charges:

• Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking Schedule I - Fentanyl CDSA S. 5(2)
• Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking Schedule I - Hydromorphone CDSA S. 5(2)
• Proceeds of Crime Under $5,000 CC S. 355(b)
• Fail to Comply with Release Order CC S. 145(5)(a)
• Breach Probation Youth CC YCJA C. 42(2)k

The seized illicit drugs are valued on the street to be over $600.

Hamilton Police remain committed to combatting the illicit drug trade and urge the community to work together in addressing this serious issue.

Investigation One: 

On Tuesday, February 27, 2024, Hamilton Police executed two drug-related search warrants at separate residential addresses. The results of these warrants include the seizure of various illicit substances and items:

·      Fentanyl

·      Cocaine

·      Liquid Codeine

·      Psilocybin

·      Tazer

·      Butterfly knife

·      Cocaine Press

·      Money Counter

·      Shotgun

·      Over $5000 in Canadian Currency

Charged:

Marlon Hyatt, 35-years-old, Hamilton:

·      Two counts of CDSA 5(2) – Fentanyl

·      CDSA 5(2) – Cocaine

·      CDSA 5(2) - Oxycodone

·      CDSA 5(2) – Codeine

·      CDSA 5(2) – Psilocybin

·      Knowledge Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm

·      Two counts Possession of Prohibited Weapon

·      Two Counts Proceeds of Crime Over $5,000

·      Proceeds of Crime Under $5,000 Seven counts

·      Possession Contrary to Order

Jervais Whyte, 36-years-old, Hamilton:

·         CDSA 5(2) – Fentanyl

·         CDSA 5(2) – Cocaine

·         CDSA 5(2) - Oxycodone

·         Knowledge Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm

·         Two counts Possession of Prohibited Weapon

·         Proceeds of Crime Over $5,000

Krystal Bell, 35-years-old, Hamilton:

·         CDSA 5(2) – Fentanyl

·         CDSA 5(2) – Cocaine

·         CDSA 5(2) - Oxycodone

·         Knowledge of Unauthorized Possession of Firearm

·         Two counts of Possession of Prohibited Weapon

·         Proceeds of Crime Over $5,000

Amie Amaral, 34-years-old, Hamilton:

·         CDSA 5(2) – Fentanyl

·         CDSA 5(2) – Codeine

·         CDSA 5(2) – Psilocybin

·         Proceeds of Crime Over $5,000

Investigation Two: 

On Thursday, February 29, 2024, Hamilton Police executed a search warrant at a laundromat located at 447 Barton Street East. The investigation uncovered an underground and non-advertised dispensary for numerous illegal illicit drug products.

Charged:

Christopher Karns, 35-years-old, Hamilton:

·        Three counts of CDSA 5(2) Possession for the purpose of trafficking
– Fentanyl, Oxycodone and Psilocybin

·        Proceeds of Crime Under $5000

·        Possession for the purpose of distributing

·        Possessing cannabis for the purpose of selling

Additional charges of possession for the purpose of trafficking are expected to be laid after further testing by Health Canada. 
The investigations remain on going.

Combatting illicit drug trafficking requires the joint efforts of our entire community. By staying vigilant and reporting suspicious activities, together, we can build a safer and stronger Hamilton. Your collaboration is essential in maintaining a safe community for all.

Thanks to the vigilant actions of a conscientious citizen, Hamilton Police have successfully arrested two males and removed a loaded firearm, ammunition, and illicit drugs from our city streets. The swift response of this community member has played a crucial role in enhancing the safety and well-being of our city.

On Tuesday, November 28, 2023, just after 10:00 p.m., Hamilton Police responded to a call in the area of Mountain Avenue North and Jones Street following a concerned citizen's alert. The citizen reported observing two males walking south on Mountain Avenue, with one of them appearing to be in possession of a firearm.

Promptly responding to the call, officers conducted a thorough search of the area, resulting in the arrest of a 17-year-old male and a 19-year-old male.

Upon searching the 17-year-old,  police discovered a loaded Glock handgun equipped with a full auto switch, an extended magazine carrying 28 rounds of ammunition, $1500 in Canadian Currency, and  500 grams of Fentanyl.

Charges for the 17-year-old male from Toronto include:

• Unauthorized Possession of Firearm
• Possession for the Purpose of Schedule 1-Fentanyl
• Two Counts of Possession of a Prohibited Weapon
• Proceeds of Crime Under $5000
• Possession of a Prohibited Firearm (Loaded)
• Knowledge of Unauthorized Possession of Firearm

The 19-year-old male from Hamilton faces the following charges:

• Fail to Comply with Youth Sentence
• Disobey Court Order
• Possession of Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose

Both males remain in custody.

If you possess any information that may aid the ongoing investigation, please contact Detective Sergeant Candace Culp at 905-546-2907. 

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

On the morning of Wednesday, November 29, 2023, just before 11:00 a.m., Hamilton Police received information indicating the presence of a male, potentially armed, on the premises of Bernie Custis Public Secondary School. While responding to the call for service, additional information revealed that the individual had entered a vehicle, which subsequently left the area. The vehicle was immediately located at a nearby gas station with five occupants, all of whom were apprehended due to the initial suspicion of a firearm. However, no firearm was found in the vehicle, and further details indicated that the weapon had been left in the school within a bag.

In the interest of safety, Bernie Custis Public Secondary School, the recreation center, and Jimmy Thompson Pool were placed under lockdown for several hours as the police conducted a thorough search. Fortunately, everyone remained safe during this process.

The 15-year-old male, identified as a student of Bernie Custis Public Secondary School, is now facing the following charges:

·        CDSA 5(2) YPC Possession for the Purpose Schedule I – Cocaine

·        CDSA 5(2) YPC Possession for the Purpose Schedule I – Fentanyl

·        CC YPC Proceeds of Crime Under $5,000

Hamilton Police extend their gratitude to the community, witnesses, school staff, students, and everyone involved for their cooperation and assistance throughout the investigation, ensuring the safety of all parties involved.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Candice Culp 905-546-2907.
For those who wish to provide information anonymously, please consider reaching out to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit your anonymous tips online at Crime Stoppers Hamilton's Website.

Since the beginning of the year, Hamilton Police have seized a total of 130 crime-related firearms alone. This underscores our commitment to removing dangerous weapons from circulation and preventing potential violence.

Over the last month, members of the Major Drug and Gangs Unit executed residential, vehicle and trailer search warrants resulting in a substantial quantity of suspected cocaine, fentanyl, methamphetamine, codeine, and oxycodone pills. The estimated street value of the illicit drugs exceeds $156 thousand dollars.

In addition to the drug seizures, detectives located a handgun, prohibited extended magazine, prohibited weapons, and numerous rounds of ammunition. This highlights the multi-faceted approach taken by our investigators to address various aspects of criminal activity.

CHARGED

Logan Keoun, 22-years-of-age, Hamilton

·        Possession of Heroin for the Purpose Schedule One

·        Possession of Methamphetamine for the Purpose Schedule One

·        Two Counts of Possession of Cocaine for the Purpose Schedule One

·        Possession of Fentanyl for the Purpose Schedule One

·        Prohibited Firearm

·        Knowledge of Unauthorized Possession of Firearm

·        Knowledge of Unauthorized Possession of Weapon

Sarann Nop, 39-years-of-age, Burlington

·        Possession of Fentanyl for the Purpose Schedule One

·        Proceeds of Crime Over $5,000

·        Possession of Opioid for the Purpose Schedule One

Heather Balloch, 33-years-of-age, Hamilton

·        Possession of Fentanyl for the Purpose Schedule One

·        Proceeds of Crime Over $5,000

·        Possession of Opioid for the Purpose Schedule One

Douglas Burley, 44-yearss-of-age, Hamilton

·        Possession of Cocaine for the Purpose Schedule One

·        Possession of Fentanyl for the Purpose Schedule One

Roger James, 55-years-of-age, Hamilton

·        Possession of Cocaine for the Purpose Schedule One

Jessica Keoun, 21-years-of-age, Hamilton

·        Possession of Cocaine for the Purpose Schedule One

Ly Keoun, 49-years-of-age, Hamilton

·        Possession of Cocaine for the Purpose Schedule One

Your cooperation is crucial in maintaining the safety of our community.

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

Since the beginning of the year, police have seized 153 firearms within our city. Of those firearms, 84 of them were crime guns from a variety of incidents, seven of which were recovered during traffic-related interactions.

Over the last month members of the Major Drug and Gangs Unit seized a large quantity of suspected cocaine with a street value of over $300K, two prohibited firearms, seized a vehicle related to crime and have executed search warrants related to residences, vehicles and storage units.

CHARGED

·        30-year-old man

·        Hamilton

CHARGES

·        CDSA 5(2) - Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking - Cocaine

·        CC 355(b) - Proceeds of Crime under $5000

·        CC 91(3) - Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm

·        CC 86(3) - Careless Use, Carry, Transport, Storage of a Firearm

·        CC 95(1) - Prohibited Firearm

·        CC 92(1) - Knowledge of Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm

CHARGED

·        26-year-old man

·        Hamilton

During the search of the man’s vehicle officers recovered a loaded prohibited handgun and a quantity of cocaine.

CHARGES

·        CDSA 5(2) - Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking - Cocaine

·        CC 355(b) - Proceeds of Crime under $5000

·        CC 91(3) - Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm

·        CC 95(1) - Prohibited Firearm

·        CC 92(1) - Knowledge of Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm

·        CDSA 5(2) Possession for the Purpose Schedule II

·        CC 94(2) Occupant of Motor Vehicle knowing there was Firearm

The above investigations remain on-going therefore further details in relation to the accused men will not be released at this time.

These incidents are a reminder that if you see something, please say something.

The citizens of Hamilton need to continue to feel safe in their communities and as a community, we need to stop illicit drugs and guns from entering our streets.

By working together, we can make our streets safer for everyone.

If you have any information about firearms in our community, please contact police at 905-546-4925.

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

Stolen automobile investigation leads to the seizure of illicit drugs, Canadian currency and more.

In the evening hours of Thursday, May 12, 2022, Hamilton Police executed a residential search warrant and arrested two suspects in relation to a stolen Lincoln SUV in the area of Rymal Road East and Upper Sherman Avenue.

Two adults were charged with property and drug related offences and were located at the residence. 

They remain in custody.

Police seized 13.2 kilograms of cocaine valued at approximately $1.5 million dollars. The recovered stolen Lincoln SUV was valued at approximately $7,000.

Police also located and seized three replica firearms, multiple fraudulent vehicle plates and indicia of drug trafficking during the execution of the warrant.

If you have any information about illicit drugs, gun violence or any crime within our city please call Hamilton Police 905-546-4925 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

In September 2021, Hamilton Police launched Project Suppression in relation to an increase in shootings and gang conflicts in the city. The project, which encompassed multiple units from the across the Service, was designed to target illegal firearms and hold individuals committing offences accountable.

“We continue to see the effect illicit drugs has on all aspects of our society. We know there is the impact on violent crime such as shootings but we also need to be aware of the stark increase in opioid deaths in Hamilton,” said Chief Frank Bergen. 

Over a six month period, Project Suppression resulted in 37 individuals charged, 288 charges laid, the seizure of 28 firearms, 10 replica firearms, 11 prohibited weapons, 5 prohibited devices, over 500 rounds of ammunition, a hand grenade, $273,000 in cash and a significant amount of drugs.

The estimated street value of the seized drugs is $2,500,000. The project additionally resulted in the significant seizure of high purity Fentanyl that once prepared for street doses would have an estimated street value of $30,000,000.

“We continue to see an increase in guns on our streets. In fact, this week alone two traffic stops yielded two loaded handguns," said Deputy Chief Ryan Diodati.

If you have any information that you believe could assist Police with the investigation into these crimes, you are asked to contact Gangs and Weapons Enforcement Unit Detective Sergeant Greg Slack 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