Eight arrested on gun, drug and other charges as cops search two Hamilton homes

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Eight people were busted as cops in Steeltown allegedly seized several loaded handguns, a stash of illicit drugs, stolen vehicles and counterfeit cash last week.

Hamilton Police say a slew of charges have been laid as a result of officers from the Major Drugs and Gangs Unit, B.E.A.R. (break-and- enter, auto theft, robbery) Unit and the OPP’s R.O.P.E. (repeat, offender, parole, enforcement) Unit working collaboratively on two separate investigations.

As a result of their joint effort, two search warrants were executed Thursday – one at a residence on Shelby Ave., the other at a residence on James Street N., police revealed Friday.

While searching the residences, police allege investigators found three loaded firearms – a CZ Shadow 9mm handgun, a Mark IV Ruger .22 calibre handgun and a Taurus G2C firearm with prohibited magazine – and five magazines loaded with .22 calibre bullets.

Cops also allegedly located a stash of drugs that included 648 grams of methamphetamine, 120 grams of cocaine, 516 grams of blue, red and yellow fentanyl, 50 grams of fentanyl, 40 hydromorphone pills and 30 oxycocet pills.

Two allegedly stolen vehicles as well as $1,600 in counterfeit currency were also seized, police said.

Following the execution of the search warrants, eight suspects were located and arrested.

Charged with an assortment of related offences are Michael Casey, 40, Bradley Mark, 43, Shannon Batchelor, 39, Julian Jesso, 28, Brandon Froese, 28, Gemma Rogers, 21, Maiya Pardy, 24, all of Hamilton, and Jacob Boyd, 23, of Stoney Creek.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is urged to call the Major Drugs and Gangs Unit at 905-546-3887 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

cdoucette@postmedia.com

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