A 56-year-old man from White River faces impaired driving and drug possession charges after members of the Anishinabek Police Service say officers seized cocaine at a RIDE checkpoint in Netmizaaggamig Nishnaabeg, also called Pic Mobert First Nation. Shortly after 9 p.m. on Oct. 3, police officers stopped a vehicle as part of a RIDE program being conducted in the area of Mobert Road and Highway 17. “After speaking with the driver, officers formed reasonable suspicion the individual was intoxicated,” the Indigenous police service said in a news release Monday. “The driver also provided their Firearms Possession and Acquisition Licence to the officer, believing it to be their driver’s licence.” Driver arrested for impaired operation As a result of a standard field sobriety test conducted at the roadside, officers said the driver was arrested for impaired operation. “A blood demand was made, and those results are pending,” said police. Crack cocaine, paraphernalia seized A search of the vehicle incident to arrest resulted in the seizure of 1.5 grams of crack cocaine and assorted drug paraphernalia. Charges and penalties As a result, the driver was charged with impaired driving and drug possession. In addition to the charges, the man was served with a 7-day administrative driver’s licence suspension and was also issued a Trespass Notice under the Netmizaaggamig Nishnaabeg Trespassing and Safety Naaknigewin. The driver has since been released on an undertaking. Police warn of impaired driving dangers Anishinabek police used the incident to remind motorists of the dangers of impaired driving. “Any amount of alcohol or drugs can impair your judgment and reaction time, and poor decisions made in a split second can have tragic consequences,” said police “If you decide to consume alcohol or drugs, plan ahead. Arrange for a designated driver, take public transit, call a ride-sharing service, or stay overnight.” Police also reminded the public that anyone who suspects someone is driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs should call 911 immediately. Unsafe driving behaviours can also be reported to local police or anonymously to Crime Stoppers.
