Ancaster man faces 135 drug and firearm charges, including transfer of grenade launchers

An Ancaster man is facing dozens of drug- and firearm-related charges, including the alleged possession and transfer of grenade launchers, court documents obtained by The Spectator show.

Sean Sutherland, 32, was arrested by the West Region OPP and processed through a London courthouse on March 9, according to court records.

The 135 charges laid against him stretch from Nov. 14, 2019 to as recently as this month.

OPP spokesperson Bill Dickson could not confirm Tuesday if Sutherland's arrest was tied to a massive provincial police operation last week that spanned six southwestern Ontario communities.

Dickson said the multi-jurisdiction investigation - which saw search warrants carried out in London, Brantford, Ancaster, Brant County and Barrie - remains ongoing. Local police forces are also involved, he said.

The OPP and partners hope to provide details to the media and members of the public very soon," Dickson said.

The London Free Press reported March 10 that Sutherland was one of eight people arrested in the provincial police sweep.

The charges Sutherland faces are tied to alleged incidents in Brantford, Ancaster and Brant County, according to court records.

The majority of the charges - 104 - are firearm-related, specifically the possession and transfer of handguns, rifles and grenade launchers, the documents show.

Nineteen of the charges stem from the possession and transfer of explosive devices and substances, nine of which are described in court records as grenades. Seven charges relate to the possession and transfer of ammunition or magazines.

Sutherland is also charged with three counts of trafficking cocaine and two counts of unlawful possession of marijuana for the purpose of selling.

Sebastian Bron is a Hamilton-based reporter at The Spectator. Reach him via email: sbron@thespec.com