Firearm and $45,900 in Cocaine Seized - Thorold
On Friday November 6, 2026, Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) 1 District (St. Catharines/Thorold) uniform officers began an investigation involving a male who was reported to be in possession of a firearm. Detectives with 1 District Criminal Investigations Bureau (CIB) took carriage of the investigation, with assistance from 1 District Street Crime Unit (SCU), 2 District (Niagara Falls/Niagara-on-the-Lake) SCU, and the Major Drugs and Gangs Unit.
At approximately 3:25 PM, the male was taken into custody by members of the Emergency Task Unit (ETU) on Pine Street South and Sullivan Avenue in Thorold. Detectives were granted a judicial search warrant for a residence in Thorold. As a result of the arrest and search warrant execution police seized the following items:
- $4610 in Canadian currency
- A sawed-off shotgun and ammunition
- 459 grams of suspected cocaine (street value $45,900)
- Materials consistent with the illegal trafficking of drugs
32-year-old Justin MATHES of Thorold is charged with the following criminal offences:
- Possession of a Restricted or Prohibited Firearm Knowingly Not Holding a License
- Possession of an Imitation Weapon
- Careless Storage of a Firearm, Weapon, Prohibited Device, or Ammunition
- Possession of a Firearm, Weapon, or Ammunition, Contrary to Prohibition Order
- Carrying Concealed Weapon
- Possess Prohibited Ammunition Knowing No Authority
- Possession of a Schedule I Substance for Trafficking (Cocaine)
MATHES remains in custody and is scheduled to attend a bail hearing on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at the Robert S. K. Welch Courthouse, located at 59 Church Street in 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 1009728.
To report a tip and remain anonymous please call 289-248-1058.
NRPS Incident #26-140473
