Two people are facing charges after a RIDE spot check with a canine unit resulted in police seizing almost $50,000 in cocaine.
Manitoulin OPP Constable Berkley Parisien says officers were accompanied by the United Chiefs and Councils Canine Unit to conduct the checks at the Swing Bridge in Little Current last Friday evening.
She says a vehicle came through the check at midnight, and police initiated an investigation.
With assistance from Police Service Dog Ben and his handler, police located suspected drugs, and the driver and passenger were arrested.
As a result, police seized an amount of suspected cocaine with an estimated street value of $49,000, an amount of suspected crack cocaine with an estimated street value of $650, approximately $450 in cash and an axe.
The two accused, a 31-year-old and a 26-year-old, both from Wikwemikong, are facing several charges, including possession for the purpose of trafficking breach and others.
WEB: The driver, a 31-year-old from Wikwemikong Unceded Territory, was charged with:
Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
Possession of a Schedule I substance – other drugs
Possession of a Schedule I substance – opioid
Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – cocaine
Failure to comply with release order – two counts
Operate motor vehicle without insurance
Having care or control of a motor vehicle with open container of liquor
Drive motor vehicle – no licence
Drive motor vehicle – not equipped with ignition interlock device
The passenger, a 26-year-old from Wikwemikong Unceded Territory, was charged with:
Possession of weapon for dangerous purpose
Possession of a Schedule I substance – other drugs
Possession of a Schedule I substance – opioid
Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – cocaine
Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime under $5,000
Photos provided by Manitoulin OPP
