Highway 11 traffic stop leads to drug seizure, multiple arrests: OPP

A routine traffic stop on Highway 11 resulted in the seizure of cocaine, cash and a prohibited weapon, as well as the arrest of three individuals on February 19, 2025. The vehicle stopped is shown. (Supplied/Ontario Provincial Police)

A routine traffic stop on Highway 11 resulted in the seizure of cocaine, cash and a prohibited weapon, as well as the arrest of three individuals.

The incident occurred at about 11 a.m. on Feb. 19, when members of the James Bay Ontario Provincial Police detachment stopped a vehicle in Smooth Rock Falls.

According to a police news release, during the stop, officers “observed a bag of suspected cocaine in plain view” and arrested the three occupants for drug trafficking.

Authorities said a subsequent search of the vehicle led to the seizure of approximately $10,000 in cash, cocaine with an estimated street value of $4,000 and a prohibited switchblade.

“Further investigation revealed that one of the passengers – who was criminally prohibited from driving - had been behind the wheel shortly before the stop,” OPP said in the release.

“Additionally, the driver at the time of the traffic stop displayed signs of intoxication and was transported to the Kapuskasing OPP detachment for further testing.”

As a result of the investigation, all three were charged with drug trafficking.

A 49-year-old man from Cache Bay faces additional charges of operation while prohibited, failing to comply with a probation order and possession of proceeds of crime.

The Cache Bay man remains in custody.

The driver at the time of the stop, a 29-year-old Timmins woman, was also charged with two impaired-driving offences. As a result, she also received a 90-day driver’s licence suspension and the vehicle involved was impounded for seven days at the owner’s expense.

The third individual, a 41-year-old from Constance Lake, was charged with possession of a prohibited device (the switchblade.)

The other two accused were released and all three are scheduled to appear in court on March 31.