Police lay firearms and drug trafficking charges

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Police have laid firearms and drug trafficking charges after a search of a residence in Halifax early this morning.

At approximately 1:25 a.m. members of the Quick Response Unit and the Emergency Response Team conducted a search of a residence on Travertine Court in Halifax in relation to an ongoing investigation. Officers arrested a man and a woman at the scene and seized a loaded firearm, over a kilogram of cocaine, in excess of 600 grams of methamphetamine and approximately $22,000.

Shontez Oshay Dechamp, 27, and Vanessa Grace Mallares, 28, are scheduled to appear in Halifax provincial court today to face charges of:

  • Possession for the purpose of trafficking (x2)
  • Unsafe storage of a firearm
  • Unsafe storage of a firearm contrary to regulations
  • Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
  • Unauthorized possession of a firearm
  • Possession of firearm knowing its possession is unauthorized
  • Possession of a restricted or prohibited firearm with ammunition
  • Possession of firearm obtained by commission of an offence
  • Possession of property obtained by crime

Dechamp is also facing the following charges in relation to the search:

  • Possession of firearm or ammunition contrary to firearm prohibition order (x2)
  • Failure to surrender firearms and ammunition as directed by a court order (x2)
  • Possession of firearm or ammunition contrary to a court order (x2)

On April 19 and May 18, officers attempted to stop Dechamp while he was driving as the officers were aware he is prohibited from operating a vehicle. Both times, Dechamp refused to stop and officers did not pursue his vehicle out of safety concerns. He is facing the following charges in relation to these two incidents:

  • Driving while prohibited (x2)
  • Dangerous operation of a conveyance (x2)
  • Flight from police (x2)
  • Escape lawful custody
  • Resisting arrest
  • Breach of probation (x4)

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