Trio charged after guns, drugs seized in Vaughan vehicle stop

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Three people face charges after two loaded guns, drugs and cash were seized during a recent traffic stop for suspected impaired driving in Vaughan.

York regional Police allege officers in the area of Steeles Ave. W. and Pearce Rd. – west of Weston Rd. – spotted a white GMC truck “leaving a parking lot in an erratic manner, nearly hitting vehicles on the road” around 11:15 p.m. on June 16.

“Officers stopped the vehicle in the area of Pine Valley Dr. and Hwy. 407,” Const. Maniva Armstrong said in a statement released Wednesday.

She said the man driving the vehicle was investigated and arrested for allegedly driving while impaired by alcohol.

“Upon his arrest, officers located cannabis consistent with being held for distribution and open alcohol inside the vehicle,” Armstrong alleged. “A further search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of two handguns with ammunition and a large amount of cash.”

Two passengers in the vehicle, a man and a woman, were then arrested as well.

Investigators subsequently executed search warrants at residences associated to the suspects in Toronto and Brampton and allegedly found about 1 kilogram of cannabis resin.

The driver – Tyler Burke, 32, of Bolton – was charged with impaired operation of a vehicle; possession of cannabis for the purpose of distribution; possession of proceeds of crime under $5,000; possession of a loaded prohibited or restricted firearm; failure to comply with a court order; and numerous other offences.

The passengers – Leon Burke, 33, of no fixed address, and Caitlin Cummings, 26, of Toronto ­– were charged with numerous offences that include possession of cannabis for the purpose of distribution; possession of proceeds of crime under $5,000; and possession of a loaded prohibited or restricted firearm.

cdoucette@postmedia.com

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