Toronto Police Seize Loaded Handgun and Cocaine in North York Drug Bust
A 27-year-old Toronto man has been charged with multiple gun and drug offences following a police operation in North York last week. According to Toronto Police, officers from the Integrated Gun and Gang Task Force executed a search warrant on Friday in the Jane Street and Wilson Avenue area as part of an ongoing drug-trafficking investigation.
During the search, authorities allegedly seized a loaded handgun and a quantity of cocaine intended for trafficking. The suspect, identified as Joshua Samuels, faces a series of serious charges including possession of a loaded firearm, possession of a prohibited firearm knowing its possession is prohibited, unauthorized possession of a firearm, possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine, possession of proceeds of crime over $5,000, and three counts of failure to comply with a weapons prohibition order.
Assault Investigation in Earlscourt Area Leads to Arrests and Search for Suspects
In a separate incident, Toronto Police are continuing their investigation into a serious assault that occurred in the Earlscourt area on February 9. Police responded to an assault call at approximately 8:45 p.m. in the St. Clair Avenue West and Dufferin Street area, where a victim had met with four individuals outside his building.
The suspects fled the scene after assaulting the victim, leaving him with serious injuries that required hospitalization. Following the incident, two individuals were arrested on February 10. Lino Pagano, 63, and Linda Elmaleh, 57, both of Toronto, were charged with assault, assault with a weapon, and aggravated assault. Elmaleh faces an additional charge of failure to comply with a probation order.
Police are actively searching for two male suspects who remain at large:
- A clean-shaven male with a medium build, aged 30-40, last seen wearing a blue baseball hat, a dark jacket with a white stripe across the chest, grey pants, and black shoes with white soles.
- A second male with a medium build, blond hair, aged 50-60, last seen wearing a blue medical mask, a black jacket, blue jeans, and brown boots.
Authorities are urging anyone with information about these suspects to contact Toronto Police at 416-808-1300 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-8477 or through 222tips.com.
Additional Assault Charge from Downtown Rally Incident
In another development, a 33-year-old Toronto man has been charged with assault following an incident at a downtown demonstration on Friday. Police were monitoring a rally in the Yonge and Bloor Streets area when the accused allegedly approached a victim who had been protesting and assaulted him at approximately 3:30 p.m.
Maury Cheskes was charged with assault and failure to comply with a probation order. This case highlights ongoing police efforts to maintain public safety during public gatherings in the city.
These incidents underscore the Toronto Police Service's continued focus on combating gun violence, drug trafficking, and violent assaults across the city. The seizures and arrests demonstrate proactive measures to address community safety concerns, while the search for outstanding suspects emphasizes the importance of public cooperation in ongoing investigations.
