An allegedly impaired 58-year-old Levack driver faces several charges after being pulled over during a Reduce Impaired Driving Everyone check north of Espanola on Jan. 4.
At approximately 1:30 a.m., the Manitoulin Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police were conducting RIDE spot checks on Highway 6 at Old Webbwood Road in the Baldwin Township.
A vehicle entered the spot check area and was determined by police to have “consumed an intoxicating substance.”
The driver was arrested and taken to the Espanola OPP detachment for further testing.
Police also searched the vehicle, seizing approximately one gram of suspected methamphetamine with an estimated street value of $100, approximately one gram of suspected crack cocaine ($150), 70 grams of suspected cocaine ($7,000), and approximately $3,500 of Canadian currency.
A 58-year-old Levack man faces the following charges:
- Operation while impaired - drugs
- Obstruct Peace Officer
- Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime under $5,000
- Possession of a Schedule I substance - cocaine
- Possession of a Schedule I substance - methamphetamine
- Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking - cocaine
- Fail to properly wear seat belt
- Obstruct plate
- Operate unsafe vehicle
He is slated to appear before a court in Espanola on Feb. 3.
“The OPP has highly trained Drug Recognition Evaluator (DRE) officers who are skilled in the detection and investigation of drug impaired drivers,” an OPP media release noted. “Should you observe a suspected impaired driver on our roads, waterways or trails, don't hesitate to make the call and dial 911. Your phone call could save someone's life.”
