Passenger charged with drug possession at OPP RIDE check
At 7:35 pm on March 26, members of the Manitoulin Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were conducting a RIDE (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) check on Bidwell Road at Northeastern Manitoulin and the Islands (NEMI) Township. An automobile was checked, and the vehicle passenger was found to have a controlled substance.
As a result of the investigation, a 22-year-old male of Wikwemikong First Nation has been charged with possession of cannabis marijuana, contrary to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
The accused is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Gore Bay on May 11, 2016.
Passenger charged with drug possession at OPP RIDE check
At 7:40 pm on March 28, members of the Manitoulin Detachment of the OPP were conducting a RIDE check on Highway 6 at Assiginack Township. A pickup truck was checked, and a vehicle passenger was found to have a controlled substance.
As a result of the investigation, a 27-year-old female of Wikwemikong First Nation has been charged with possession of cannabis marijuana, contrary to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
The accused is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Gore Bay on May 16, 2016.
OPP receives 9-1-1 calls and catches impaired driver
Between 8:30 and 8:45 pm on March 30, the OPP Communications Centre in North Bay received two separate 9-1-1 calls from motorists reporting a pickup truck being driven erratically on Highway 6. A Manitoulin OPP officer located the vehicle in Birch Island. The officer determined the driver had consumed alcohol, and the driver was arrested.
As a result of this investigation, a 35-year-old male of Whitefish River First Nation has been charged with impaired care or control of a motor vehicle, and exceeding the legal limit of alcohol in his blood, contrary to section 253(1) (a) and 253(1) (b) of the Criminal Code of Canada, and breach of probation, contrary to section 733.1(1) of the Criminal Code of Canada.
The accused is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Gore Bay on April 25.
The OPP is reminding motorists that there is no safe amount of alcohol consumption when driving. Anyone who suspects a driver is driving while impaired is urged to call police by dialing 9-1-1 immediately.
Vehicle collision leads to numerous charges
In the late afternoon of March 31, 2016, members of the Manitoulin Detachment of the OPP responded to a report of a vehicle collision in Tehkummah. Upon arrival, police found the male driver had sustained non-life threatening injuries. The driver was arrested after officers determined he was impaired by the consumption of alcohol.
As a result of this investigation, a 47-year-old male of Wikwemikong Unceded First Nation has been charged for impaired driving, failing to provide a breath sample, and theft of a motor vehicle, contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada. He has also been charged for offences under The Highway Traffic Act of Ontario.
The accused is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Gore Bay on May 16.
March traffic enforcement culminates with the OPP spring seatbelt campaign
During the month of March, members of the Manitoulin Detachment of the OPP concentrated traffic enforcement efforts on impaired driving, distracted driving, aggressive driving, and seatbelt use. Over the Easter long weekend (March 25 to 28) the OPP conducted the Spring Seatbelt Campaign province-wide. Members of the Manitoulin Detachment of the OPP were involved in this initiative. The local results for March have been tallied.
During the period, three drivers were charged with impaired driving. Four drivers were charged with distracted driving for using cell phones while behind the wheel. Seven offence notices were issued for aggressive driving behavior. Eighteen offence notices were issued to drivers or passengers for failing to wear seatbelts. Nine of those charges occurred during the Spring Seatbelt Campaign.
“The lack of seatbelt use continues to be a problem locally,” stated Manitoulin Detachment Commander, Staff Sergeant Kevin Webb. “Seatbelts save lives, and we will continue to focus our enforcement efforts to meet our commitment to road safety.”