Vehicle in northern Ont. passed OPP cruiser with high beams on, police find handgun, $20K in cash

A Scarborough man is facing charges after police found guns and cash inside a vehicle that passed them on Highway 17 in Blind River.

When police pulled over a Toronto-area suspect who passed a police cruiser on Highway 17 with his high beams on, they could smell cannabis coming from the vehicle.

A subsequent search uncovered a loaded, 9 mm handgun and cash, Ontario Provincial Police in East Algoma said in a news release Wednesday.

The incident happened April 1 at 8:45 p.m. when the OPP were on patrol, headed eastbound on Highway 17 near Algoma Mills.

“A vehicle approached the police cruiser from behind with its high beams on and subsequently overtook the officer in the passing lane,” police said in a news release Wednesday.

“The officer initiated a traffic stop on Highway 17 near Birchwood Circle in the Town of Blind River. While speaking with the driver, the officer detected a strong odor of cannabis emanating from the vehicle.”

Police seized the handgun, 10 bullets and a 10-round 9mm magazine from the glove compartment.

“Additionally, officers discovered four bundles of Canadian currency, a Ziploc bag of coins, a wallet with cash (totalling over $20,000), a marijuana grinder and two cellphones,” police said.

“The driver was subsequently arrested and transported to Blind River detachment for processing.”

The 22-year-old from Scarborough was charged with weapons possession and several other weapons-related offences, as well as possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.

The accused remains in custody.