Driver charged with drug trafficking, impaired after being found hiding from RIDE check: OPP

An Ontario Provincial Police officers is shown performing a RIDE check in northern Ontario in this undated photo. (File photo/CTV News Northern Ontario)

A 38-year-old man from Blind River is facing a slew of charges after police say he attempted to avoid a RIDE checkpoint before being found hiding behind a garbage bin.

Ontario Provincial Police conducted a reduce impaired driving everywhere (RIDE) initiative at the intersection of Village Road and Park Road on Mississauga First Nation the evening of Feb. 12.

“During the initiative, officers observed a vehicle that appeared to be deliberately avoiding the RIDE checkpoint and turning southbound onto Village Road,” OPP said in a news release.

Hiding behind garbage bin

Police subsequently located the unoccupied vehicle on Red Pine Road.

“The driver was found nearby, positioned behind a garbage bin,” police said.

“While speaking with the driver, officers determined that alcohol had been consumed.”

Further investigation revealed the driver was operating the vehicle while under a suspension.

Officers searched the vehicle and located an open bottle of liquor, a fanny pack containing more than 40 grams of suspected cocaine and crack cocaine along with other drug paraphernalia. OPP estimated the street value of the cocaine found at $3,500.

The driver was taken into custody and transported to the Blind River OPP detachment for further testing but refused to provide a breath sample.

Multiple charges laid

As a result of the investigation, the motorist was charged with impaired driving, failing or refusing to comply with a demand, driving a motor vehicle with liquor readily available, driving while under a suspension and drug trafficking.

Additionally, police said the vehicle was impounded for seven days.

The accused was released from custody and is scheduled to appear in court in Elliot Lake on March 5.

Police call for vigilance

“Impaired driving remains one of the most significant threats to road safety in Ontario,” said OPP, adding that the public is encouraged to report suspected impaired drivers.

“If you see a driver, you believe is impaired by alcohol or drugs, call 911 immediately,” police said.

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