In September of 2023, the 2 District (Niagara Falls / Niagara on the Lake) Street Crime Unit for the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) began an investigation into the illegal manufacturing and trafficking of firearms.
As a result of the investigation detectives identified a suspect. On November 2, 2023, detectives located and arrested the suspect. Detectives obtained a search warrant for the suspect’s residence in the area of Dixon Street and Orchard Avenue in the City of Niagara Falls.
Detectives seized the following items during the execution of the warrant:
Two 3D printed receivers to a handgun A 3D printed holster Two 3D printers Remington model 597 rifle Lee-Enfield 1915 rifle Cooey Sureshot rifle Remington model 788 rifle Marlin 30/30 Winchester rifle Kriss Vector rifle Lakefield Arms rifle Savage rifle Sig Sauer handgun An extended magazine capable of holding 30 bullets 2 rifle sights 3 rifle bolts 6 magazines 1040, .22 calibre rounds of ammunition 369, 9mm calibre rounds of ammunition 1,556 calibre rounds of ammunition 29, 30/30 calibre rounds of ammunition 9, 303 calibre rounds of ammunition 49, 308 calibre rounds of ammunition 91 shotgun rounds of ammunition 47, .45 calibre rounds of ammunition 16, 44 magnum calibre rounds of ammunition
Zachary Joseph Sawada (AKA “Bear”) (30 yrs.) of Niagara Falls has been arrested and charged with the Criminal Code offences of:
Traffick Firearm, Criminal Code section 99(1)(a) Manufacturing Firearms, Criminal Code section 99(1)(a) Possession for the Purpose of Weapons (Firearm) Trafficking, Criminal Code section 100(1) Possession of a Prohibited Device – Criminal Code section 88(1) Careless Storage of a Firearm, Criminal Code section 86(1) (Global Charge) Careless Storage of Ammunition, Criminal Code section 86(1) Possession of a Firearm in an Unlawful Place, Criminal Code section 93(1)(b)
Sawada was held in custody for a video bail hearing to the Robert S. K. Welch Courthouse in St. Catharines on November 3, 2023.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the investigating officers by calling 905-688-4111, option 3, extension 1009483.
Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to persons who contact the program with information which leads to an arrest.
Click Here for Crime Stoppers Online
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