Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale says the arrest of a father and a son, after hazardous material and a detonator were allegedly recovered from a Richmond Hill home Friday, isn’t related to national security.

York Region police said they began an investigation on Thursday after receiving information about a suspect who had been investigated by the Canada Border Services Agency and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, according to a news release.

On Friday, York police raided a home on Larratt Ln., near Bathurst St. and Canyon Hill Ave., and allegedly located “a quantity of hazardous, explosive materials as well as a detonator device,” according to the release.

Officers with the Ontario Provincial Police and the York police bomb squad then entered the home and removed the material.

York police Const. Laura Nicolle said officers are still carefully going through the hazardous and “potentially explosive” chemicals that were seized.

Nicolle said police are still investigating the incident and will not be speculating on what the materials may have been intended for.

“There is no known connection to any issue related to national security,” Goodale said in Ottawa. “It is a local policing matter. Obviously they've made arrests, they’ve laid charges and it’s up to them to comment further.”

Neighbours who were evacuated Friday have since been let back into their homes, York police said.

On Saturday, a York Region police spokesperson said the recovered chemicals were not part of an illegal drug operation.

“Lots of different chemicals were found in the residence,” the spokesperson said. “We are treating it as a hazardous chemicals incident. It’s not a drug lab.”

York police arrested Mahyar Mohammadiasl, 18, and Reza Mohammadiasl, 47, both of Richmond Hill on Monday. Nicolle said the father and son have both been charged with possession of an explosive device.

York police are asking anyone who knows the two men to speak to investigators.

Those with information call the designated tip line at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 6075 or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-tips.

Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading...

With files from the Richmond Hill Liberal and The Canadian Press

Emma Sandri is a breaking news reporter, working out of the Star’s radio room in Toronto. Follow her on Twitter: @emmarosesandri

Read more about: