NEWS RELEASE
NIAGARA REGIONAL POLICE
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On Aug. 1, 2023 at 3:30 p.m., Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) officers assigned to the Community Oriented Response and Engagement Unit (CORE) conducted a traffic stop on a 2022 Kia Rio on Victoria Avenue near Magdalen Street, in the City of Niagara Falls. The driver failed to identify themselves in accordance with the Ontario Highway Traffic Act.
As a result, the driver was advised he was under arrest and was directed to exit the vehicle. Upon exiting, the driver ran from officers and was successful avoiding the pending arrest. Search of the vehicle resulted in 544 grams of suspected fentanyl worth an estimated value of $20,000.
On Aug. 2, 2023, detectives assigned to the 2 District Street Crime Unit located the driver exiting a hotel on Centre Street near Lewis Avenue in the City of Niagara Falls. He was placed under arrest.
On Aug. 3, 2023, detectives applied for and received judicial authorization to search the hotel room rented by the driver. The warrant was executed with the assistance of the Human Trafficking Unit and the Emergency Task Unit. As a result of the search, detectives located 2,612 grams of suspected cocaine, 17.6 grams of suspected fentanyl, a loaded .22 calibre Ruger handgun, 43 bullets, and two passports that had been previously reported lost/stolen.
Keshawn Travere Jason Bell (27 years) of Niagara Falls has been arrested and charged with the following criminal offences:
• Possession of a Firearm, Weapon or Ammunition Contrary to Prohibition Order
• Possession of a Restricted or Prohibited Firearm Without Holding a Licence
• Possession of a Firearm Knowing Serial Number Has Been Tampered With
• Possess Restricted or Prohibited Firearm Knowingly Not Holding a Licence
• Possession of Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000
• Procure To Be Made/Possession/Transfer/Sell Identity Documents
• Possession of a Prohibited or Restricted Firearm with Ammunition
• Careless Storage of a Firearm, Weapon, Prohibited Device
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000
• Possession of Fentanyl for the Purpose of Trafficking
• Possession of Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking
• Escape Lawful Custody of a Peace Officer
• Resist Peace Officer
Bell remains in police custody. He is scheduled to attend a bail hearing tomorrow (Aug. 4, 2023) via video link to the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse located at 59 Church St. in the City of St. Catharines.
Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to contact the lead detective by dialling 905-688-4111, dial option 3, ext. 1008457.
Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously are encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to persons who contact the program with information that leads to an arrest.
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