**** HRP Media Release
Police lay firearms and drug trafficking charges
Police have laid firearms and drug trafficking charges after a search of a residence in Halifax early this morning.
At approximately 1:25 a.m. members of the Quick Response Unit and the Emergency Response Team conducted a search of a residence on Travertine Court in Halifax in relation to an ongoing investigation. Officers arrested a man and a woman at the scene and seized a loaded firearm, over a kilogram of cocaine, in excess of 600 grams of methamphetamine and approximately $22,000.
Shontez Oshay Dechamp, 27, and Vanessa Grace Mallares, 28, are scheduled to appear in Halifax provincial court today to face charges of:
- Possession for the purpose of trafficking (x2)
- Unsafe storage of a firearm
- Unsafe storage of a firearm contrary to regulations
- Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
- Unauthorized possession of a firearm
- Possession of firearm knowing its possession is unauthorized
- Possession of a restricted or prohibited firearm with ammunition
- Possession of firearm obtained by commission of an offence
- Possession of property obtained by crime
Dechamp is also facing the following charges in relation to the search:
- Possession of firearm or ammunition contrary to firearm prohibition order (x2)
- Failure to surrender firearms and ammunition as directed by a court order (x2)
- Possession of firearm or ammunition contrary to a court order (x2)
On April 19 and May 18, officers attempted to stop Dechamp while he was driving as the officers were aware he is prohibited from operating a vehicle. Both times, Dechamp refused to stop and officers did not pursue his vehicle out of safety concerns. He is facing the following charges in relation to these two incidents:
- Driving while prohibited (x2)
- Dangerous operation of a conveyance (x2)
- Flight from police (x2)
- Escape lawful custody
- Resisting arrest
- Breach of probation (x4)
