Toronto police seize 28 handguns from hotel room, man faces over 130 charges
Posted August 28, 2023 11:30 am.
Last Updated August 28, 2023 12:51 pm.
Toronto police announced the results of a firearm investigation that involves one Ottawa man facing over 130 combined charges stemming from the seizure of 28 handguns in his hotel room.
The investigation commenced around 3 p.m. on August 21 after police received a call about several firearms found in a hotel room in the York Mills Road and Don Mills Road area in North York.
It’s alleged that staff from the hotel were cleaning a room and found three firearms. After police arrived, they located several handguns, eventually leading to authorities discovering an additional 25 guns in the hotel room.
On Monday, police revealed that they had seized 20 Glock Pistols, four Springfield Armory Pistols, three Smith & Wesson Pistols and a Sig Sauer Pistol, including multiple rounds of ammunition.
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Acting Staff Superintendent Shannon Dawson and Superintendent Steve Watts announced that 30-year-old Ahmed Farah of Ottawa was arrested.
Farah faces several firearm-related charges, including 28 counts of possessing a restricted or prohibited firearm without holding a licence, 28 counts of possessing a restricted or prohibited firearm knowingly not holding a licence and 28 counts of storing a firearm carelessly, among other weapon offences.
“These guns were 100 per cent destined for our streets in Toronto,” Watts said. “As a result of this seizure, they can not be used to take someone else’s life and severely injure people.”
The accused was expected to appear in court on August 22.
Watts praised the hotel staff for their instincts to quickly inform the police once the few handguns were located in the room.
“They did the honourable thing. This is a significant seizure,” Watts said. “I would like to commend the hotel employees 100 per cent.”
