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Niagara Falls
Thursday, March 28, 2024
NRPS: officer arrested on trafficking charges

Two men, including NRPS Constable Mark Taks were arrested Friday on multiple narcotics trafficking charges.

Taks has been suspended with pay in accordance with the Police Services Act of Ontario.

In a release Friday, the NRPS said Chief Bryan MacCulloch “maintains his commitment to being accountable and transparent to not only the public but members of the NRPS as well.”

“When these allegations first surfaced, our detectives immediately launched a thorough and exhaustive investigation. Our officers work tirelessly to maintain the trust of the public and when that is shaken, we are all impacted. The vast majority of our officers are dedicated to public safety. When one of our own in any way violates the public trust, it will not be tolerated.  It is important to note, no one is above the law and all of our members are accountable for their actions at all times.”

The investigation into the trafficking of narcotics in the Niagara and Stoney Creek area was launched in May, when police started to investigate the trafficking of steroids and other narcotics, including cocaine, marijuana and prescription medication.

Constable Mark Taks, 25, of Stoney Creek, has been charged with conspiracy to traffic schedule I substances (cocaine, Adderall and codeine), conspiracy to traffic schedule II substances (marijuana), conspiracy to traffic schedule IV substances (steroids and Xanax), trafficking a schedule IV substance (Xanax), possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking, possession of MDMA, possession of Adderall and failing to comply with recognizance

Police say the alleged offences occurred while the officer was off duty.

The second man was also arrested and charged as a result of this investigation.

Twenty-five-year-old Mohammed Awija, of Ottawa, has been charged with conspiracy to traffic schedule I substances, conspiracy to traffic schedule II substances, conspiracy to traffic schedule IV substances, possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking and possession of MDMA for the purpose of trafficking.

Taks and Awija are being held in custody pending a bail hearing in the Ontario Court of Justice on Saturday, via video link at the John Sopinka Courthouse in Hamilton.

Constable Taks has been a police officer with the NRPS for two years, and at the time of the alleged offences had been assigned to administrative duties.

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