Over $400K in cash and drugs seized in Ontario checkstop and shooting arrests

Charges have been laid against men from Mississauga and Brampton following separate incidents involving a shooting on the highway and drugs seized at a traffic stop near Sudbury.

The first arrests happened around 2 a.m. on Monday when the OPP was working a checkstop on Highway 17 in Mckerrow, approximately 68 kilometres west of Sudbury.

Police say a Suburban SUV with multiple occupants came through the Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere checkpoint, and investigators smelled “freshly burned cannabis” while speaking to the driver.

Officers searched the SUV and found a loaded 9mm Glock handgun, ammunition, suspected cannabis, over $1,200 in Canadian currency and over four kilos of suspected cocaine.

Police also recovered over 2,400 tablets of suspected Hydromorphone tablets with an approximate street value of $300,000.

The OPP says Shahab, Stankikzai, 43, of Irondale, Ali Hamat, 40, of Mississauga and Manasseh Osei Tutu, 30, of Brampton were all arrested charged with multiple offences including possession of prohibited or restricted firearm with ammo, possession of a schedule I substance for trafficking, and carrying concealed weapon.

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Then two days later on Sept. 18, the OPP was called to a stretch of Highway 17 after receiving reports of gunshots around 3:15 p.m.

Police say an occupant of a white SUV opened fire at another driver’s vehicle west of the Town of Iron Bridge.

Investigators spotted the SUV heading eastbound on Highway 17 and executed a “high-risk” takedown and arrested both the driver and passenger.

A search revealed more than $100,000 in Canadian currency, three cell phones, and a small amount of cannabis.

The OPP says Hamza Suleiman Jama, 27, of Brampton was arrested and charged with failure to comply with release order other than to attend court and drive vehicle or boat with cannabis readily available.

The accused appeared before the Ontario Court of Justice Bail Court in Espanola on Sept. 19 and was remanded into custody, police say.

Anyone with information about this incident can contact the OPP by calling 1-888-310-1122. Anonymous tips may also be provided to Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-8477 or visiting www.ontariocrimestoppers.ca.

When you contact Crime Stoppers you stay anonymous, never have to testify, and could receive a $2,000 reward.