3 Arrested and Handgun Seized in Drug Trafficking Investigation – Niagara Falls

In January 2026, members of the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) 2 District (Niagara Falls/Niagara-on-the-lake) Street Crime Unit (SCU) began an investigation into the illegal trafficking of illicit substances in the City of Niagara Falls.

On Thursday, January 8, 2026, at approximately 10:00 AM, detectives with the Street Crime Unit observed three parties conducting short visits with other individuals that were consistent with drug trafficking in the area of King Street in St. Catharines. As a result, three suspects were arrested, and the following illicit substances were seized:

• 52.5 grams of suspected fentanyl (street value of $10,500)
• 1.6 grams of suspected crystal methamphetamine (street value of $80)
• 22 Hydromorphone pills (street value of $220)
• $5860 in Canadian Currency

Detectives subsequently applied for and were granted a judicial search warrant for an address in Niagara Falls. The following items were seized from the residence:

• Handgun with 12 rounds of ammunition in a magazine
• 32.2 grams of suspected fentanyl (street value of $6440)
• 46.1 grams of suspected crystal methamphetamine (street value of $6915)
•  270 hydromorphone pills (street value of $1350)
• $280 in Canadian Currency

34-year-old Eric FLANSBERRY of Niagara Falls is charged with the following criminal offences:

• Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (6 Counts)
• Possession of Proceeds Obtained by Crime, over $5000
• Possess Prohibited Firearm Without Holding a License
• Possess Prohibited Firearm Knowingly Not Holding a License
• Possess Loaded Regulated Firearm
•  Careless Storage of a Firearm
• Possess Prohibited Device
• Possession of Proceeds Obtained by Crime, under $5000
• Possession of Firearm Contrary to Order

28-year-old Katelyn GUENTHER of Niagara Falls is charged with the following criminal offences:

·         Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (6 Counts)

·         Possession of Proceeds Obtained by Crime, over $5000

·         Possess Prohibited Firearm Without Holding a License

·         Possess Prohibited Firearm Knowingly Not Holding a License

·         Possess Loaded Regulated Firearm

·         Careless Storage of a Firearm

·         Possess Prohibited Device

·         Possession of Proceeds Obtained by Crime, under $5000

53-year-old Denise TAYLOR of Niagara Falls is charged with the following criminal offences:

• Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (3 Counts)
• Possession of Proceeds Obtained by Crime, over $5000

FLANSBERRY, GUENTHER and TAYLOR remain in custody and are scheduled to attend a bail hearing on Friday, January 9, 2026, at the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse, located at 59 Church Street, St. Catharines.

Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact the Niagara Regional Police Service at (905) 688-4111, option 3, extension 1009705.

Members of the community who wish to provide information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477(TIPS). Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to people who contact the program with information which leads to an arrest.

26-2901