THUNDER BAY – A loaded shotgun, about a dozen imitation firearms, crossbows and two bulletproof vests were seized along with illegal narcotics valued at nearly $180,000 following a weekend bust at a south side hotel.
Officers with the Thunder Bay Police Service’s intelligence unit executed two warrants at the unnamed hotel on Saturday after receiving reports of a disturbance, laying charges against two individuals.
Staff Sgt. Ryan Gibson said the weapons haul included a loaded 12-gauge shotgun, eight imitation handguns and about five imitation machine guns, two crossbows and body armour.
“With this kind of weaponry and firepower we know it would have been used for other crimes. No doubt in my mind,” Gibson said on Tuesday.
“You don’t have bullet proof vests, you don’t have imitation firearms and you don’t have a real shotgun unless you’re up to other things. If we can head off those crimes before the city has to deal with them, that’s a great thing.”
Gibson said the imitation firearms are often used for threatening purposes to generate fear and intimidation.
“Although they are imitation firearms, I would challenge anyone to be able to tell the difference,” Gibson said.
The bust also resulted in the seizure of crystal methamphetamine, methamphetamine, cocaine, crack cocaine, Oxycodone, Xanax, magic mushrooms and cannabis resin.
Mark Bax, 39, faces 16 drug trafficking and weapons charges, along with breach of probation. Amanda Desaulniers, 23, is charged with trafficking cocaine and unsafe storage of a firearm.
The seizure of the crystal methamphetamine, which Gibson said is new for Thunder Bay, was particularly troubling.
“To see it coming into the community is concerning. We’ve had the seizures towards Kenora, down south and Sault Ste. Marie but now it’s here,” Gibson said.
Gibson could not answer from where the drugs originated.
“With this amount of narcotics, it always ties back to organized crime one way or the other,” Gibson said.
Both of the suspects have been remanded into custody. Charges have not been proven in court.
