TORONTO Police on Monday announced the seizure of 28 handguns and the laying of 136 charges against one suspect in a firearm investigation.
On Monday, August 21, at approximately 3 p.m., police received a call about a number of firearms found in a hotel room in North York.
Superintendent Steve Watts of Organized Crime Enforcement said the seizure is significant.
“As you know, gun violence continues to be one of the most significant public safety concerns in our city where the vast majority of gun violence is perpetuated by people who are unlawfully in possession of illegal firearms,” he said.
“The guns before you today were destined for our streets and, as a result of this seizure, will never be used to commit crimes or take someone life.”
Watts said a portion of the guns have been traced to the southern Unites States and the investigation into the origin of the others is ongoing.
It is alleged that:
- staff from the hotel were cleaning a room and found three firearms
- officers attended the hotel, located the firearms and sealed the room
- officers obtained and executed a search warrant later the same day and found an additional 25 firearms in the room
In total, officers from 33 Division’s Major Crime Unit seized 20 Glock Pistols, 4 Springfield Armory Pistols, 3 Smith & Wesson Pistols and 1 Sig Sauer Pistol, including magazines.
Ahmed Farah, 30, of Ottawa, was arrested and charged with:
- 28 counts of possess restricted or prohibited firearm without holding a licence
- 28 counts of possess restricted or prohibited firearm knowingly not holding a licence
- 28 counts of store firearm carelessly
- 22 counts of possess prohibited device
- 28 counts of knowingly possess firearm for transfer
- Possess firearm with altered serial number
- Fail to comply with release order
So far this year, Toronto Police have seized 382 crime handguns.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-3300, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or at www.222tips.com.
