$400K worth of fentanyl, cocaine, oxycodone seized in Blind River traffic stop

$10K in Canadian currency, a handgun and ammunition also found in vehicle, OPP say; two suspects from southern Ontario were arrested and remain in custody

Drugs, weapon and cash seized in traffic stopPhoto supplied by the OPP

BLIND RIVER – Two people from southern Ontario are facing a litany of charges after the Ontario Provincial Police pulled over a vehicle and detected an odour of cannabis.

A subsequent search of the vehicle turned up drugs, a weapon and a significant amount of cash, the OPP said in a news release.

Police say shortly after 11 a.m. yesterday, the East Algoma OPP and the North East Region Community Street Crime Unit conducted a traffic stop for a Highway Traffic Act violation on Highway 17 in Blind River.

Upon speaking with the occupants of the vehicle, police were able to detect an odour of cannabis, which led to the arrest of two people.

A search of the vehicle led to the seizure of:

approximately two kilograms of suspected fentanyl
approximately one kilogram of suspected cocaine
a large quantity of suspected hydromorphone and oxycodone pills

The estimated street value of drugs seized is approximately $400,000, according to police.

Police said they also located approximately $10,000 in Canadian currency, a handgun, ammunition, and multiple cellphones.

As a result of the investigation, Issak Khoshaba, 28, from Brampton is charged with:

Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking - three counts
Personation with intent to avoid arrest, prosecution or obstruct justice (identity fraud)
Unauthorized possession of a firearm
Unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm
Occupant of motor vehicle knowing there was a firearm
Possession of firearm or ammunition contrary to Prohibition Order
Possession of loaded prohibited or restricted firearm
Possession of weapon of dangerous purpose
Driver fail to surrender licence
Driver fail to give identification
Use other person's licence
Drive motor vehicle, no currently validated permit
Fail to surrender insurance card
Drive vehicle with cannabis readily available
Fail to have insurance card
Fail to surrender permit for motor vehicle
Careless storage of firearm, weapon, prohibited device or ammunition
Failure to comply with release order - other than to attend court
Knowledge of unauthorized possession of firearm
Breach of firearms regulation - transport firearm or restricted weapon
Possession of prohibited or restricted firearm with ammo
Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime over $5,000
Possession of a prohibited device or ammunition

The accused was held in custody and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Sault Ste. Marie on March 28.

Adrian Arias, 52, from York has been charged with:

Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking - three counts
Unauthorized possession of firearm
Unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm
Occupant of motor vehicle knowing there was a firearm
Possession of loaded prohibited or restricted firearm
Possession of weapon of dangerous purpose
Careless storage of firearm, weapon, prohibited device or ammunition
Knowledge of unauthorized possession of firearm
Breach of firearms regulation - transport firearm or restricted weapon
Possession of prohibited or restricted firearm with ammo
Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime over $5,000
Possession of a prohibited device or ammunition