After provincial police stopped an ATV that crossed the highway at 2 a.m. with no lights on in Espanola, they found the driver was carrying a small amount of cocaine.
At around 2 a.m. Sept. 16, the Manitoulin Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were conducting a Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (RIDE) check on Centre Street in Espanola.
Officers observed an ATV travel across the highway with no headlights. A traffic stop was initiated, and as a result of further investigation, the driver was arrested for operation while prohibited.
Additionally, police seized an amount of suspected cocaine with an estimated street value of $43.
The driver, a 38-year-old Webbwood man, was charged with:
- Operation while prohibited under the Criminal Code
- Possession of a Schedule I substance - cocaine
- Drive non-passenger ATV with a passenger
- Lamps not lit
The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Espanola on Nov. 17.