Eight people arrested on drug and gun charges

Hamilton police have arrested eight peoplewith multiple drug and weapon charges, including one man who knocked on thedoor as police were searching and identified himself as a drug dealer.

Policesearched a home on West Avenue North in Hamilton, arrestingthree women and four men around 5p.m. on Feb.26.

While police were searching the house, a manknocked on the closed front door. When police asked who it was, heidentified himself as a drug dealer. Officers opened the door and the surprised man assaulted an officer by pushing him, police say.

The driver of the waiting car fled immediately. The suspect threw a loaded .45 caliber hand gun into the snow as he ran from the house.Theman was pursuedand arrested.

Police also found an array of drugs including prescription pills, cocaine, crystal meth, heroin, and marijuana in the house. Theyalso gathered an undisclosed amount of cash and a Taser.

Four of the eight suspects were released and will appear incourt ondrug-related charges. The others were held for bail hearing.

The charges include possession of illegal drugs,possession of a prohibited weapon,possession of the proceeds of crime under $5,000, theunauthorized possession of a firearm and ammunition,and careless use andtransport of a firearm.