Manitoulin OPP lay 74th impaired driving charge this year
The Manitoulin detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has laid 74 impaired driving charges since January 1.
On November 11, shortly before 4 am, the Manitoulin OPP responded to a traffic complaint of a vehicle failing to maintain its lane, on Highway 17 in Sudbury.
Police were able to locate the vehicle and determine that the driver had been consuming alcoholic beverages. The driver was arrested for impaired driving and transported back to the OPP detachment for further tests.
As a result of the investigation, Dawson Sakki, 20, from Nairn-Hyman township has been arrested and charged with operation while impaired-alcohol and drugs, and operation while impaired-blood alcohol concentration (80 plus).
The accused was released from custody and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Espanola on December 4.
The driver was issued a 90-administrative driver’s licence suspension, and the vehicle was impounded for seven days.
OPP RIDE programs have resulted in a wide range of charges
The Manitoulin detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) conducted 250 Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (RIDE) programs between May 1-November 10. These proactive police efforts have resulted in a wide range of drug and driving charges.
The OPP’s Festive Ride campaign began November 16 and runs until January 1, 2024.
The OPP reported that on September 26, a vehicle was stopped at a RIDE check on Centre Street in Espanola. Police detected an odour of cannabis coming from the vehicle and four people were arrested. A search of the vehicle resulted in police locating over two hundred grams of suspected cocaine with an estimated street value of approximately $39,500.
On October 5, a vehicle was stopped at RIDE again being held on Centre Street in Espanola. It was determined the driver was wanted. The driver was arrested and a search of the vehicle led to the seizure of over 870 grams of suspected fentanyl and over 95 grams of suspected cocaine. The estimated street value of the drugs seized is approximately $364,000.
Manitoulin OPP RIDE programs also resulted in six drivers being issued three-day driving suspensions, five drivers charged for driving while suspended, five individuals found breaching conditions, three individuals arrested for impaired driving, three individuals arrested for outstanding warrants, one individual charged with driving disqualified after a criminal code conviction, and two unsafe motor vehicles taken off the road.
Impaired driving is one of the leading causes of death on Ontario roads.
“People who choose to drive under the influence of alcohol and drugs put everyone around them at risk. Finding and stopping these drivers is an all-out community effort. Police use RIDE programs as a proactive tool to reduce impaired driving, but the results in the Manitoulin OPP detachment area show the immeasurable positive effects these programs have. They are undoubtedly helping to prevent further victimization property crime, violent crime, and overdoses within our communities,” said Manitoulin OPP Inspector Robert Walsh.
Drivers are reminded that no amount of alcohol or drugs in your system is safe when driving. If you plan on driving or consuming drugs, plan not to drive. Instead, arrange for a designated driver or take a taxi. If you observe a suspected impaired driver, please call 9-1-1 immediately and report it.
UCCM police investigate aggravated assault in M’Chigeeng
On November 15 at approximately 2:30 am, officers with the UCCM Anishnaabe Police Service were called to a disturbance at a residence on Pine Street within M’Chigeeng First Nation.
Upon arrival, members of the UCCM police and Manitoulin detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) discovered a male victim that had been severely assaulted and sustained serious head trauma. The victim was transported to Manitoulin Health Centre (MHC) by ambulance, then later air lifted to Health Sciences North (HSN) in Sudbury to be treated for his injuries.
Police currently have two adults under arrest with respect to this incident. Members of the UCCM Police Crime Unit, Patrol Unit, and members of the OPP Crime Unit are continuing to investigate the incident. There will be a heavy police presence around Pinewood Park in M’Chigeeng as the investigation continues.
Anyone with additional facts on this investigation are asked to contact the UCCM Anishnaabe Police Service at 1-888-377-7135, or the Ontario Provincial Police Communication Centre at 1-888-310-1122. If you would like to remain anonymous, tips can also be directed to Sudbury Rainbow Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. Online tips can also be submitted by going to the Sudbury Rainbow Crime Stoppers website.
Four people charged with drug and weapons related offences
The OPP has charged four people with drug and weapons related offences after a search warrant was executed in Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory (WUT).
On November 15, shortly before 5 pm, the OPP Community Street Crime Unit (CSCU) with the assistance of members of the Manitoulin OPP, Manitoulin Crime Unit, Wikwemikong Tribal Police Service (WTPS) and UCCM Police executed a search warrant at a residence on Peltier’s Trail.
Police arrested six people at the residence and located over 126 grams of suspected cocaine, over 66 grams of suspected crack cocaine and over 14 grams of suspected fentanyl with a combined street value of over $26,500. Police also located a loaded handgun, digital scale, packaging material and over $5,000 in Canadian currency.
Two people arrested were released from police custody unconditionally.
As a result of the investigation, four people were charged. Nancy-Mae Osawamick-Shigwadja, 46, from WUT, Tiffany Shigwadja, 26, from WUT, Wayne Wemigwans, 53, from WUT and Ryan Stewartson, 23, from Ajax have all been charged with: possession of a schedule one substance for the purpose of trafficking, opioid (other than heroin); two counts of possession of a schedule one substance for the purpose of trafficking cocaine; possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000; careless storage of a firearm; unauthorized possession of prohibited firearm; knowledge of unauthorized possession of firearm; possession of loaded prohibited firearm; tampering with serial number of a firearm; possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose; and possession of a firearm obtained by crime. Mr. Wemigwans was also charged with possession of a firearm contrary to a prohibition order. Mr. Stewartson was also charged with two counts of failure to comply with a release order, other than to attend court.
The accused persons were held in custody and are scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Sudbury on November 22.
