Since January of 2023 detectives from the 3 District – Welland Street Crime Unit (SCU) of the Niagara Regional Police Service have been investigating the sale of illegal drugs in the City of Welland.
As a result of that investigation detectives identified two suspects. With the assistance of the 2 District – Niagara Falls SCU and 1 District – St. Catharines SCU, on March 30, 2023, a Controlled Drugs and Substances warrant was executed at a residence in the area of Quaker Road and Goodwillie Drive.
As a result of the search of the male suspect incident to his arrest and a search of the residence detectives seized the following:
Glock pistol .40 cal. – loaded – modified for fully automatic Browning pistol .25 cal. – loaded 2.36 kg of fentanyl (approx. street value – $708,000) 78.7 gm of crystal methamphetamine (approx. street value – $7870) $160,000 in currency
1.3 kg cocaine (approx. street value – $131,610)
Jonathan Mesrob Zadikian (34 yrs.) of Welland has been arrested and charged with the criminal offences of:
Possession of Fentanyl for the Purpose of Trafficking Possession of Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking Possession of methamphetamine for the Purpose of Trafficking Possession of a Prohibited or Restricted Firearm with Ammunition Possession of a Firearm, To Wit a .40 Caliber Handgun That They Were Not the Holder of a Licence Under Which They May Possess It Careless Storage of a Prohibited Firearm Possession of Proceeds Obtained by Crime Possession of a Loaded Prohibited Firearm Possession of a Prohibited Firearm knowing its Possession is Unauthorized Carrying a Concealed Weapon Possess Weapon Contrary to Court imposed Prohibition (2 Counts)
Desiree Nicole Stewart (24 yrs.) of Welland has been arrested and charged with the criminal offences of:
Possession of Fentanyl for the Purpose of Trafficking Possession of Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking Possession of methamphetamine for the Purpose of Trafficking Possession of a Prohibited or Restricted Firearm with Ammunition Possession of a Firearm, To Wit a .40 Caliber Handgun That They Were Not the Holder of a Licence Under Which They May Possess It Careless Storage of a Prohibited Firearm Possession of Proceeds Obtained by Crime
Zadikian and Stewart both attended video bail hearings on March 31, 2023, to the Welland Courthouse. Zadikian was held in custody where he remains. Stewart had been held in custody but was release on April 6, 2023, with a future court date of May 4, 2023.
Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to contact detectives by calling 905-688-4111, option 3, extension 1023300.
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
2023-31930