27-year-old Hamilton man charged in drug trafficking case

Hamilton police say a 27-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with alleged drug trafficking in the city’s downtown core.

Officers say they were conducting proactive surveillance Tuesday in the area of The Salvation Army on York Boulevard following multiple community complaints about drug activity.

Police say officers observed a man they believe was involved in multiple drug transactions.

Investigators continued to follow the man — later identified as Douglas Barker — as he travelled through the area on an electric scooter and met with several people in what police say appeared to be drug transactions, including outside Jackson Square.

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Officers arrested Barker and seized multiple illicit drugs, including crack cocaine, crystal methamphetamine and fentanyl, among others. They also recovered four cell phones and a prohibited knife.

Barker is now facing multiple drug trafficking-related charges, possession of a prohibited weapon, four counts of possession contrary to a release order, and possession of proceeds of crime under $5,000.

Anyone with information related to drug trafficking in their neighbourhood is encouraged to contact Hamilton police at 905-546-4925 or provide information anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

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