FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, June 21, 2017 2:30pm
Pill Press, firearms, drugs and chemicals seized as part of Drug Unit investigation
(Ottawa) — A significant amount of drugs and chemicals used to produce counterfeit pills, firearms, ammunition and a pill press were seized this week by the Ottawa Police Service Drug Unit after an eight month investigation.
In November 2016, the Drug Unit began an investigation into a group of individuals believed to be responsible for trafficking cocaine and counterfeit pills in Ottawa.
On June 20th, 2017 the investigation concluded with the execution of eight search warrants at residences, businesses and vehicles across the city.
As well as an assortment of drugs including cocaine and ecstasy, police also seized a sawed off shotgun and a 40 calibre handgun with 400 rounds of ammunition. A pill press was also seized and is capable of producing 20,000 pills per hour. With the quantity of chemicals seized during the course of the investigation this group could manufacture 600,000 counterfeit pills. View photos here.
“This is an important seizure that shows the ability of traffickers to produce large amounts of counterfeit pills locally. It also shows the link between drug traffickers and the potential for gun violence in Ottawa,” said S/Sgt Rick Carey of the Ottawa Police Service Drug Unit. “We continue to focus on enforcement while working with our partners to prevent overdoses in our city especially as we begin the music festival season where access to illegal drugs like ecstasy and other counterfeit pills is a major concern.”
ACCUSED
Brian NGUYEN, male 28, of Ottawa:
- Possession for the purpose of Trafficking cocaine x 3, CDSA 5(2)
- Possession for the purpose of Trafficking steroids, (schedule IV), CDSA 5(2)
- Possession for the purpose of Trafficking Schedule I x 2, CDSA 5(2)
- Possession for the purpose of Trafficking marihuana, CDSA 5(2)
- Possession for the purpose of Trafficking MDMA, CDSA 5(2)
- Possession for the purpose of Trafficking Hashish, CDSA 5(2)
- Possession of Proceeds of Crime CC, 354(1)(a)
- Unauthorized possession of a firearm x 2, CC 91(1)
- Possession of a firearm knowing not authorized x 2, CC 92(1)
- Possession of a prohibited or restricted weapon with ammunitionx 2, CC 95(1)
- Possession of a firearm obtained by crime, CC 96(1)
- Tampering with a serial number, CC 108(1)
- Careless Storage of a firearmx 2, CC, 86(1)
- Careless storage of ammunition, CC 86(1)
- Weapons Dangerous,x 2, CC 88(4)
- Conspiracy, CC 465(1)(c)
Held – Pending show cause hearing
Calvin TAN, male 24, of Ottawa:
- Possession for the purpose of Trafficking Schedule I, CDSA 5(2)
- Possession for the purpose of Trafficking cocaine, CDSA 5(2)
- Possession for the purpose of Trafficking marihuana, CDSA 5(2)
- Possession of Proceeds of Crime CC, 354(1)(a)
- Weapons Dangerous CC 88(4)
- Conspiracy, CC 465(1)(c)
Released – PTA/Undertaking
Nabil ZAZAY, male 24, of Ottawa:
- Conspiracy, CC 465(1)(c)
Released – PTA/Undertaking
Allison HAYES, female 27, of Ottawa:
- Possession for the purpose of Trafficking Schedule I x 3, CDSA 5(2)
- Possession for the purpose of Trafficking marihuana, CDSA 5(2)
- Possession for the purpose of Trafficking MDMA, CDSA 5(2)
- Possession for the purpose of Trafficking Hashish, CDSA 5(2)
- Unauthorized possession of a firearm, CC 91(1)
- Possession of a firearm knowing not authorized, CC 92(1)
- Careless Storage of a firearm CC, 86(1)
- Weapons Dangerous, CC 88(4)
Released – Promise to Appear/Undertaking
OUTSTANDING SUSPECTS – To be arrested:
Two other males aged 32 years old and 27 years old are still outstanding and to be arrested and charged in connection with this investigation.
PROPERTY SEIZED
- Pill press
- 1 Sawed-off Remington 870 shotgun
- Smith & Wesson .40 cal semi-automatic with extra magazine and 400 rounds of ammunition.
- 2 Cocaine presses
- Pills – believed to be methylenedioxymethamphetamine – MDMA (“Ecstasy”).
- Cocaine
- Marihuana and Hashish
- Steroids
- U/k powder – to be analyzed
- Drug packaging and paraphernalia
- Canadian Currency
- Financial records for vehicles and residences
- Cellular phones
- Computers and data storage devices
- 2014 Audi S8 Sedan
- 2004 BMW 535i
Anyone needing access to information about drug use and resources available in the city can go to www.stopoverdoseottawa.ca
Anyone with information regarding drug complaints is encouraged to contact the Ottawa Police at 613-236-1222 ext. 7300. Reports can be made online at Ottawapolice.ca. Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), or by downloading the Ottawa Police app.
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CONTACT:
Media Relations Office
Tel: 613-236-1222, ext. 5366