Two men face multiple charges after the Northumberland OPP arrested them in connection with a firearms theft investigation.
Police responded on Nov. 23 to a report of stolen firearms from a property in Hamilton Township, believed to have been taken over the prior two weeks. While most of the weapons were recovered, shotguns and rifles remain unaccounted for.
On Nov. 24, officers arrested Andrew Drysdale, 32, of Hamilton Township. He faces 14 counts each of unauthorized firearm possession and possession of a weapon obtained by crime, among other charges, including weapons trafficking and theft over $5,000.
Later that evening, officers executed a search warrant on John Street in Cobourg, with support from the Community Street Crime Unit, Emergency Response Team, and Tactics and Rescue Unit. They seized rifles, shotguns, ammunition, a cellphone, and 17 grams of suspected fentanyl valued at $3,000.
Benjamin Staples, 46, was taken into custody and charged with 14 counts of unauthorized firearm possession, drug trafficking, and other weapons offences, including possession of a firearm contrary to a prohibition order.
The investigation is ongoing, and police urge anyone with information to contact the OPP or Crime Stoppers.
