Man arrested on gun, drug charges after being found with multiple sawed-off rifles

THUNDER BAY — A 26-year-old Saskatchewan man faces several charges after he was allegedly found in illegal possession of four firearms, including two sawed-off rifles, at a Thunder Bay hotel.

The Thunder Bay Police Service, which provided details of the arrest in a Tuesday afternoon news release, said officers responded to a Memorial Avenue hotel just after 7 p.m. Sunday evening after receiving reports of a disturbance.

The responding officers found a male suspect, who police learned was in possession of a concealed, loaded sawed-off long gun along with two other concealed prohibited weapons.

Police said the man resisted initial attempts to take him into custody, but the arrest was eventually completed.

The investigation also resulted in three other firearms being found, with one of them also being a sawed-off long gun. Quantities of suspected crack cocaine, fentanyl, and crystal methamphetamine were also seized.

Police said the accused was also found in possession of three fraudulent firearms licences, and two fraudulent driver's licences.

The accused has been identified as Brandon Michael Theodre Pelletier of Regina.

Pelletier faces multiple charges of drug possession for the purpose of trafficking, as well as several weapons offences including multiple counts of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, carrying a concealed weapon, careless storage of a firearm, unauthorized possession of a firearm, and possession of a firearm or ammunition contrary to a prohibition order. Other charges include resisting a peace officer and identity theft.

He appeared in court on Monday and remains in custody with a future date schedule.