Investigation leads to seizure of loaded handgun, cocaine and fentanyl

April 24, 2025

Police have arrested a southern Ontario male on drug trafficking and weapons charges after seizing quantities of suspected illicit substances and a loaded handgun.

Members of the Thunder Bay Police Service Emergency Task Unit executed a search warrant at a Tupper Street residence on Wednesday, April 23, as a result of an Intelligence Unit investigation into suspected drug trafficking activity.

 

A male suspect was located and taken into custody after being arrested.

 

Officers seized quantities of suspected cocaine and fentanyl, along with the firearm, cash, and paraphernalia consistent with drug trafficking.

 

The total estimated street value of the seized drugs is about $175,000.

 

Rige RICHARDS, 23, of Brampton, is charged with the following:

•             Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (Cocaine)

•             Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (Fentanyl)

•             Possession of Proceeds of Crime under $5,000

•             Possession of Prohibited or Restricted Firearm with Ammunition

•             Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm

•             Careless Storage of a Firearm

•             Knowledge of Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm

•             Possession of Prohibited Device

 

The accused appeared in court on Thursday and has been remanded into custody with a future appearance date.

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Police are cautioning the public to be mindful of text message scams. The Thunder Bay Police Service has recently received a report from a resident who received a text message to participate in an online survey about their local police service. The number that sent the message is not obtainable when called. The Thunder Bay Police Service is not currently conducting a survey, and ones conducted in the past have not involved text message invitations to participate. Scammers will frequently send messages that include links. These may be in the form of invitations to participate in surveys, notification of failed mail delivery, payment issues for a subscription service, or a notice from a financial institution. These messages are scams, especially if they refer to a financial institution where the recipient does not have an account, a service the recipient does not use, or if it refers to a delivery the recipient is not expecting. Do not click on the links and delete the messages. Police urge family members and friends to speak to those who may be vulnerable to being targeted by scams. For further information about various frauds and scams that may be circulating, please visit https://www.thunderbaypolice.ca/safety/fraud-prevention or the Canadian Anti Fraud Centre online at: https://antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/index-eng.htm To make a fraud/cyber crime online report to the Thunder Bay Police Service, please visit: https://www.services.tryrubicon.com/thunder-bay-police-service/online-reports/report/fraud-cybercrime
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