NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
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SABLES-SPANISH RIVERS TOWNSHIP – On Dec. 16, 2020, the Manitoulin Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) received information indicating that a package containing prohibited devices was being delivered to an address in Sables-Spanish Rivers Township.
After a lengthy investigation, on Jan. 20, 2021, at approximately 3:58 p.m., members from the Manitoulin Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) assisted the OPP's Manitoulin Crime Unit, the OPP's Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau (OCEB), and the OPP's North East Community Street Crime Unit in the execution of a search warrant at a residence on Lee Valley Road in Sables-Spanish Rivers Township.
A search of the residence led to a seizure of:
- Colt M45A1, with a loaded magazine
- Ruger Mark IV Tactical pistol
- CZ Scorpion Evo 3 S1 submachine gun
- Benelli Tactical shotgun with 8 slugs in a case attached to gun
- Cadex CDX-10 semi-automatic rifle
- SMG Tactical upper receiver
- Beretta lower receiver • Remington 870 shotgun
- Ruger 10/22 semi-automatic rifle
- Ruger SR-22 semi-automatic rifle
- Savage 12 bolt action rifle
- Beretta 950 pistol
- Exotic Electronics Defender stun gun
- Packaging from the two suppressors
- Firearm documents
- 15 high capacity magazines
- 31 legitimate magazines
- Various ammunition for the different firearms
- Two suppressors
- Possession and Acquisition (PAL) and registration certificates
- Three firearm accessories - two fake suppressors and one muzzle flash suppressor
As a result of the investigation, Joshua Westwell, 41 years of age, from Sables-Spanish Rivers Township, was charged with:
- Unauthorized importing of a firearm, prohibited or restricted weapon, prohibited device or ammunition, contrary to section 104(1) of the CC;
- Unauthorized possession of weapon, contrary to section 91(2) of the CC (three counts);
- Unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm, contrary to section 91(1) of the CC; and with
- Breach of firearms regulation-store firearm or restricted weapon, contrary to section 86(2) of the CC.
The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Espanola on March 1, 2021.
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