Fort Erie man, Hamilton pair caught at border with firearms, drugs

The Niagara Police were called to the Peace Bridge at Fort Erie today at 3 am this morning (September 24) after the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) arrested a Fort Erie man and Hamilton pair.

CBSA employees had detained two men and one woman for further inspection after sending them to secondary (search area) at 11 pm and discovered a gun, two imitation guns and an unspecified quantity of drugs.

The trio were instantly handed over to the Niagara Police when they arrived.

Matthew Brian Mailhot, 34, of Fort Erie was charged with unauthorized possession of a prohibited firearm, unauthorized importing of a prohibited firearm, unauthorized possession of a firearm in a vehicle, drug possession and failure to comply with a release order.

Courtney Alford Reid, 45, of Hamilton was charged with unauthorized possession of a prohibited firearm, unauthorized importing of a prohibited firearm, unauthorized possession of a firearm in a vehicle and two counts of failure to comply with a release order.

Kristy Fisher, 38, of Hamilton was charged with unauthorized possession of a prohibited firearm, unauthorized importing of a prohibited firearm and unauthorized possession of a firearm in a vehicle.

The three are being held in custody until a video bail hearing to the Robert S. K. Welch Courthouse in St. Catharines on September 27.

Police says the route and movement of the van prior to presenting for entry into Canada remain part of the ongoing investigation.

Anyone with information about this incident can call 905-688-4111, extension 1022300.