NEWS RELEASE
NIAGARA REGIONAL POLICE
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In December of 2023 Detectives from the 1 District (St. Catharines / Thorold) Street Crime Unit of the Niagara Regional Police Service began an investigation into the sale of illegal drugs around Geneva Street and Queenston Street in the City of St. Catharines.
The investigation led to the identification of two male suspects. On Dec. 20, 2023 at approximately 11:55 a.m., detectives saw the males walking in the area and formed grounds to believe they were actively engaged in selling illegal drugs. Detectives approached the males to place them under arrest.
Both suspects ran in opposite directions to avoid arrest. One of the foot pursuits led to an underground parking facility on Carlisle Street where detectives were able to arrest the suspect. A search of the suspect following his arrest led to the seizure of:
- 21 Percocet pills
- $1,654 in Canadian currency
- Drug trafficking paraphernalia
The second foot pursuit led detectives to a green space around Geneva Street and the 406 Hwy. where they were able to arrest the suspect. While chasing the suspect he could be seen throwing away a black handgun that had been hidden in his waistband. Detectives recovered a loaded black 9mm semi-automatic Smith & Wesson M&P 9 Shield handgun. A search of the suspect following his arrest led to the seizure of:
- 23 Oxycodone pills
- $4,280 in Canadian currency
- 118g of suspected cocaine
- Drug trafficking paraphernalia
Adonai Wilson (22 years) of Brampton has been arrested and charged with the criminal offences of:
- Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking – Opioid
- Possession of Proceeds of Crime Under $5,000
Gareth Gavonne Andre Baugh (25 years) of Mississauga has been arrested and charged with the criminal offences of:
- Carry a Firearm in a Careless Manner
- Possession of a Restricted Firearm Without a Licence
- Possess a Restricted Firearm Knowingly Without a Licence
- Possession of a Restricted Firearm with Ammunition
- Possession of a Schedule I Substance – Trafficking (Cocaine)
- Possession of a Schedule I Substance – Trafficking (Oxycodone)
- Possession of Proceeds of Crime Under $5,000
- Fail to Comply with Release Order (two counts)
Wilson and Baugh were held in custody for a video bail hearing to the Robert S. K. Welch Courthouse in St. Catharines on Dec. 21, 2023.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the investigating officers by calling 905-688-4111, option 3, ext. 1009405.
Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to persons who contact the program with information which leads to an arrest.
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