Welland man charged after police seize $100K worth of cannabis

Niagara police have charged a man and seized around $100,000 worth of cannabis in a drug trafficking investigation in Welland.

On Sunday at around 11:50 a.m., officers were on general patrol in the Crowland Avenue and Cady Street area of Welland, where they conducted a traffic stop on a 2010 Red Dodge Ram pick-up truck.

Investigators say the driver of the truck was arrested and a large amount of cannabis was discovered inside the vehicle.

Nicholas Barker, 32, of Welland is facing seven charges including the possession of over 30 grams contrary to the Cannabis Act (federal), possession of cannabis for the purpose of distributing contrary to the Cannabis Act (federal) and driving while under suspension contrary to the Highway Traffic Act.

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Detectives say a total of 48 vacuum sealed packages of suspected cannabis was seized with a combined weight of 22.07 kg.

Barker remains in custody and is scheduled to attend a bail hearing on Monday at the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse in St. Catharines.

Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact the police at 905-688-4111.

Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously are encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).

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