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A North York man was allegedly caught red-handed with more than half a million unmarked cigarettes east of the GTA.
On Sept. 21 at approximately 2 p.m., OPP officers of the Northumberland Detachment were called to assist a Ministry of Transportation officer during a vehicle stop on Telephone Rd. in Port Hope.
During the roadside stop, officers allegedly seized approximately 650,000 unmarked cigarettes.
Kevon Beckford is charged with trafficking in contraband tobacco, possession of unmarked cigarettes for sale, possession of unmarked cigarettes and driving vehicle with cannabis readily available.
The 47-year-old is scheduled to appear in a Cobourg court in December.
Drug bust in Toronto’s west end
Toronto Police have arrested two men after a firearm and drugs were allegedly seized in the city’s west end.
On Sept. 21, police say executed two search warrants in the area of Weston Rd. and Lawrence Ave. W.
The police originally began an investigation following complaints of drug trafficking in the Jane St. and Wilson Ave. area.
While executing the search warrants, the cops allegedly seized a quantity of fentanyl, crack cocaine and crystal methamphetamine, along with a rimfire .22 calibre rifle and one round of ammunition.
Two men were identified as suspects and arrested.
Aaron Whitting, 54, of Toronto, is charged with failure to comply with an undertaking, possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking, and possession of proceeds obtained by crime under $5,000.
Reza Babavalian, 42, of Toronto, is charged with failure to comply with a release order and possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking.
Both accused were expected to appear in court for a bail hearing on Wednesday.
Anyone with information is asked to call the police at 416-808-3100 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
Mississauga woman faces second-degree murder
Peel Regional Police have upgraded the charges against a woman involved in a knife incident earlier this month in Mississauga to murder.
On Sept. 6, at approximately 5:30 p.m., police responded to a stabbing near Dixie Rd. and Dundas St. W.
When officers arrived on the scene, they located an adult male suffering from a stab wound. The victim was transported to a local hospital in critical condition.
The next day, police arrested Lorena Sanchez, of Mississauga, and charged the 42-year-old with attempted murder. Three days later, the stabbing victim died of his injuries.
On Sept. 18, Sanchez had her charges upgraded to second-degree murder.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call Homicide investigators at 905-453–2121, ext. 3205.
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Random stabbing in Stoney Creek
Hamilton Police are currently investigating an unprovoked knifing incident that left a woman with serious injuries in Stoney Creek.
On Thursday at approximately 8:15 a.m., officers were called to the area of Centennial Pkwy. and Queenston Rd. for the report of a stabbing.
Police say the 45-year-old victim was sitting on a bench and reading a book at the Eastgate Square bus terminal when she was attacked from behind by an assailant who stabbed the woman and then ran from the scene.
The woman suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries. She was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
Police descibed the assailant as a male wearing a black T-shirt and dark-coloured pants. He may also have been wearing a backpack at the time.
The incident is believed to have been an unprovoked, random attack.
Detectives are appealing for witnesses and asking those in the area between the hours of 7:45 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. to contact Det. Colin Bromley at 905-546-2918 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
Distraction robbery in Barrie
Police are on the hunt for two suspects who reportedly used a distraction technique to steal gift cards from a Bayfield St. store in Barrie.
On Sept. 17, Barrie police were contacted after the retailer identified a cash shortage connected to gift card transactions.
Police say the suspects entered the unidentified store around 8:30 p.m. and selected several gift cards.
When one of the suspects presented money to load onto the gift cards, the second suspect, unbeknownst to the distracted cashier, swapped the loaded cards for empty ones.
The suspects then requested their money back. Once the cash was returned, the suspects left the store with the loaded gift cards.
Police say the suspects are possibly linked to similar gift card distraction schemes at nearly three dozen locations in Ontario.
Police encourage retail store employees to be extra cautious of distraction techniques, which can include repeated questions, acting confused, engaging in conversation, becoming agitated, or accusing the cashier of wrongdoing.
ganderson@postmedia.com