Update #1: 2 Firearms Seized in Drug Trafficking Investigation

By Niagara Regional Police Service - Jul 22, 2026

Media Releases

On Wednesday, July 22, Alanna SHORTHOUSE was arrested after attending Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) 2 District (Niagara Falls/Niagara-on-the-Lake) to turn herself in.

SHORTHOUSE remains in custody and is scheduled to attend a bail hearing on Wednesday, July 22, 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 the contact the Niagara Regional Police Service at (905) 688-4111, option 3, extension 1009667.

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.

NRPS Incident #26-90910

Original Media Release: 2 Firearms Seized in Drug Trafficking Investigation

In July 2026, detectives with the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) 2 District (Niagara Falls/Niagara-on-the-Lake) Street Crime Unit (SCU) began an investigation into the sale of controlled substances by a Thorold resident.

Detectives observed the suspect exhibiting behaviour consistent with the illegal sale of drugs. Detectives applied for and were granted judicial search warrants for the suspect’s vehicle and residence.

On Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at approximately 4:30 PM, the suspect was arrested at a business on Lundy’s Lane in Niagara Falls. The search warrants were executed, and detectives seized the following items:

Pump Action Shotgun, loaded with 5 rounds of ammunition
.357 Magnum Revolver, loaded with 6 rounds of ammunition
Various calibres of loose ammunition
71.3 grams of suspected Ecstasy (street value $2500)
86.7 grams of suspected cocaine (street value $8600)
$710 in Canadian Currency
$150 in United States Currency

31-year-old Benjamin POWELL of Thorold is charged with the following criminal offences:

Careless Storage of a Firearm (2 counts)
Possess Loaded Regulated Firearm (2 counts)
Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm in a Motor Vehicle
Possess Restricted Firearm Knowingly Not Holding a License (2 counts)
Possess Firearm Without Holding a License (2 counts)
Possession of Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime under $5000 (2 counts)
Possession of Prohibited Ammunition (2 counts)
Possession of a Schedule I Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking (Cocaine) (2 counts)
Possession of a Schedule I Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking (Ecstasy)

POWELL remains in custody and is scheduled to attend a bail hearing on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at the Robert S. K. Welch Courthouse, located at 59 Church Street in St Catharines.

27-year-old Alanna SHORTHOUSE of Thorold is currently wanted for the following criminal offences:

Careless Storage of a Firearm (2 counts)
Possess Loaded Regulated Firearm (2 counts)
Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm in a Motor Vehicle
Possess Restricted Firearm Knowingly Not Holding a License (2 counts)
Possess Firearm Without Holding a License (2 counts)
Possession of Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime under $5000 (2 counts)
Possession of Prohibited Ammunition (2 counts)
Possession of a Schedule I Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking (Cocaine) (2 counts)
Possession of a Schedule I Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking (Ecstasy)

The Niagara Regional Police Service is urging SHORTHOUSE to speak with a lawyer and turn herself in.

Anyone with information related to this incident is asked the contact the Niagara Regional Police Service at (905) 688-4111, option 3, extension 1009667.

NRPS Incident #26-90910