Two Greater Toronto Area men face numerous firearm and drug charges after being arrested in north Sarnia Tuesday.
Cst. John Sottosanti said officers were watching suspects believed to be bringing illegal drugs and firearms into the city. The ongoing investigation that was launched in August came to a head when officers, including Emergency Response Team members, tried to stop a vehicle in the area of Indian Road and Exmouth Street just after 10:30 a.m.
He said as officers approached the vehicle it ran a red light and headed north on Indian Road and then onto eastbound Highway 402.
"Officers followed the vehicle which exited onto Modeland Road northbound travelling at high speeds and weaving in and out of traffic," said Sottosanti. "The pursuit of the vehicle was called off by officers out of concern for public safety and were last seen in the area of Modeland Road and Lakeshore Road."
Cst. Sottosanti said a short time later police were tipped off by a witness.
"Fortunately, and thanks to a member of the public a witness observed the suspect vehicle in the area of Braemar Lane and the occupants that were walking away and immediately contacted Sarnia police. Officers from the Vice Unit, COPPS Unit, Emergency Response Team, OPP Canine Unit and general patrol descended upon the area and arrested the two suspects in question."
Police said a search of the vehicle and suspects led to the seizure of three semi-automatic handguns, two loaded and one unloaded, various handgun magazines, 13.5 grams of fentanyl, 16.1 grams of cocaine, drug paraphernalia, and over $7,500 in cash. The total street value of the drugs is estimated at $8,135.
Nicholas Augustus Persaud, 25, and Justin Shemar Sattaur, 24, both face numerous charges including 30 firearm and weapons-related counts, drug possession, dangerous operation of a vehicle and flight from police.
Both suspects were being held in custody pending bail hearings.
