A 34-year-old man and 24-year-old woman face a raft of charges following a Niagara police Street Crime Unit investigation of illegal drug sales in Welland that began in January.
With the assistance of the Niagara Falls SCU and St. Catharines SCU, on March 30 a warrant was executed at a residence in the area of Quaker Road and Goodwillie Drive in Welland.
As a result of the search 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 - $7,870)
- $160,000 in currency
- 1.3 kg cocaine (approx. street value - $131,610)
Jonathan Mesrob Zadikian, 34, 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 calibre 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 (two counts)
Desiree Nicole Stewart, 24, 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 calibre 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 at the Welland Courthouse. Zadikian was held in custody where he remains. Stewart had been held in custody but was released on April 6 with a future court date of May 4.
Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to contact detectives by calling 905-688-4111, option 3, ext. 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.
