OPP investigating slew of drug busts, impaired driving incidents

Drugs, cash, and other items seized in a drug bust by OPP (Source: OPP/Supplied)

The Southern Georgian Bay OPP Detachment is investigating several impaired driving incidents that occurred over the past week, including two that led to drug busts.

At around 12:40 a.m. last Saturday, a patrolling officer on Overhead Bridge Road in Penetanguishene observed a Toyota that veered off the road into a wooded area. Police say the two occupants were uninjured, but the officer investigated the 50-year-old male driver from Wasaga Beach for impaired driving upon speaking with him. He was charged soon after, his licence was suspended for 90 days, and his vehicle was impounded for seven days.

Then, at around 1:20 p.m. this past Monday, officers responded to a call from a community member who observed a silver Nissan parked at the Baxter Community Centre in Port Severn with the driver slumped over the steering wheel. Police say the vehicle was operating when officers reached the community centre area. The officers stopped and spoke to the driver, which led them to begin an impaired driving investigation.

The officers seized cocaine, heroin, cannabis and drug paraphernalia, as well as Canadian cash.

The 26-year-old male Barrie driver was charged with more than ten driving and drug trafficking-related offences. He was held for bail and will appear in an Ontario court at a future date.

Then, this past Wednesday at around 7 a.m., officers responded to reports of a possible impaired driver of a Mini Cooper parked at the Huronia Mall. Police say the male driver was found slumped over the wheel and was known to the responding officers, adding that he attempted to flee once he was out of the car.

The officers began investigating the driver for impaired driving, seizing an edged weapon, what was believed to be fentanyl and drug paraphernalia.

The Mini Cooper had also been reported stolen at around 12:40 a.m. that same day from a Midland residence on Hugel Avenue.

The 31-year-old male driver from Penetanguishene was charged with numerous driving and property-related offences.

The Southern Georgian Bay detachment also reported that 15 different R.I.D.E programs have checked 150 drivers for signs of impaired driving since last Saturday.