A vehicle travelling without a front license plate was pulled over by police to reveal a carload of contraband.

Around 11:20 a.m. yesterday, the Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) says that an East District Community Support Unit officer was heading eastbound on Higgins Avenue when he observed the vehicle in question.

The car was stopped by the officer on Higgens Avenue near Waterfront Drive. Four individuals were in the vehicle, and while speaking with them, the officer noticed several pieces of suspicious indicia.

With assistance from other officers, the four occupants of the vehicle were placed under arrest. Following a search of their persons and the vehicle, a number of items were seized, including a loaded, sawed-off 12 gauge shotgun with the hammer drawn back and ready to fire; several pieces of ammunition; bear spray; approximately 7.4 grams of methamphetamine, two scales, drug paraphernalia, and packaging materials.

A total of $617 CAD was also seized by police.

The four individuals have each been charged with numerous offences, including Possession of a Scheduled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking Methamphetamine, Possession of a Weapon, Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm, Possession of a Firearm, Prohibited or Restricted Weapon Obtained by Crime, Possession of Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000, and Failure to Comply.

The individuals, all of whom have been detained in custody, include 31-year-old Vincent William Catagas, 30-year-old Meaghan Pearce, 29-year-old Jennifer Lynn Noelle Simpson, and 24-year-old Tasha Rae Sinclair.

All four of the suspects are residents of Winnipeg.