Highway 400 was closed north of Barrie for a period of time after provincial police received a weapons call from a cab driver who told them a passenger exited the taxi and left behind cash and a gun in the rear seat of the vehicle.
At around 8:45 on Saturday night, police said a man on his way to Sudbury demanded to be let out of the taxi.
"The male subsequently got out on the side of the highway, however, left a quantity of cash as well as a firearm in the rear of the taxi," police said in a news release on Sunday.
Police closed Highway 400 in both directions between County Road 93 and Moonstone Road, and advised in a tweet that motorists should not stop for hitchhikers in the area between Moonstone and Midhurst.
ADVISORY: #OrilliaOPP advises the public not to pick up any hitchhikers in the area of #Hwy400 between Moonstone and Midhurst. If you notice any suspicious behaviour, please contact the #OPP 1-888-310-1122 ^ks
— OPPCommunicationsCR (@OPP_COMM_CR) September 17, 2023
During the search for the suspect, police said they found another loaded gun along with a large quantity of what is believed to be cocaine, and more cash.
Then around 2:30 Sunday morning, police were alerted about a suspicious person along the highway.
A 25-year-old from Sudbury was located and taken into custody.
As a result of the investigation, police said they seized:
· Two Loaded handguns
· Ammunition
· Cocaine- approximately 454 grams
· Canadian Currency- approximately $18000.00
In addition to the seizure, police charged a 25-year-old from Sudbury with:
· Careless storage of a firearm
· Possession of a Weapon for Dangerous Purpose (2 Counts)
· Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm (2 Counts)
· Knowledge of Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm (2 Counts)
· Occupant of Motor Vehicle knowing there was a Firearm (2 Counts)
· Possession of a Prohibited or Restricted Firearm (2 Counts)
· Tampering with the serial number of a Firearm
· Possession of a Schedule 1 Substance for the purpose of Trafficking - Opioid
· Possession of Property Obtained by Crime over $5000.00
· Careless Storage of a Firearm
· Failure to Comply with Probation Order
· Failure to Comply with Release Order
· Unauthorized Possession of Weapon
The accused party was held for a bail hearing.
