Northern Ont. teen charged after Hwy. 144 crash leads to drug bust

A wanted 17-year-old from Moosonee, Ont., faces drug traficking charges following a Highway 144 crash near Sudbury uncovered cash, a quantity of supected cocaine and other drug parphernalia on Feb. 25, 2026. (Supplied/Ontario Provincial Police)

A routine collision call on a northern Ontario highway has resulted in drug trafficking charges against a teenager from Moosonee.

Ontario Provincial Police officers from the Nipissing West detachment responded to a report of a motor vehicle in the ditch on Highway 144, near Onaping Lake Road, at about 6:45 a.m. on Feb. 25.

“No injuries were reported” from the collision itself, police confirmed.

Arrest follows discovery of outstanding warrant

While investigating the scene, police determined a passenger of the vehicle was wanted by law enforcement.

“Officers had identified that the passenger had an outstanding warrant and was arrested without incident,” the OPP said in a news release.

Cash, drugs seized

During a search subsequent to the arrest, officers located a quantity of suspected cocaine, along with cash and drug paraphernalia.

As a result of the investigation, a 17-year-old from Moosonee was charged with possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime and a drug trafficking offence.

“OPP will not be releasing the names of the young offenders under the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act,” said police.

The accused was held for a bail hearing and remanded back into custody. The teen was scheduled to appear in court in Sudbury at a later date.