An early-morning traffic stop near Toronto Pearson Airport in Mississauga’s north end last weekend led police to one arrest and the seizure of the 45th illegal gun taken off the streets in Peel so far this year.
Peel Regional Police said officers working out of 12 Division in the city’s east end pulled a vehicle over shortly after 3 a.m. on May 9 in the area of Torbram and Drew roads, a couple of blocks north of the airport.
While investigating, officers observed the occupants of the car to be in alleged violation of the Cannabis Control Act and subsequently initiated a search of the vehicle, police said in a news release on Friday.
“During the search, a loaded illegal handgun and a magazine containing ammunition were located and seized,” police said, adding the weapon was the 45th illegal firearm seized by Peel police so far in 2026.
An arrest was also made at the time, police noted.
Stefan Hawthorne, 29, of Brampton, is charged with:
Knowledge of unauthorized possession of a firearm.
Possession of a loaded prohibited or restricted firearm.
Careless use or storage of a firearm.
Occupant of motor vehicle knowing there was a firearm.
Unauthorized possession of a prohibited device or ammunition.
The accused was released on an undertaking and is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton at a later date, according to police.
Anyone with information related to this investigation is asked to call police at 905-453-2121, ext. 1233, or Peel Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477.
(Cover photo: Peel Regional Police)
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