SUDBURY – The flow of illegal drugs from southern Ontario to northern Ontario is a pathway that fuels much of the crime in cities in the north. Over the weekend the OPP in Sudbury knocked down some of the business the drug dealers hoped to bring to the north. Two people were arrested and face charges stemming from a traffic stop for speeding that gave police the start to find the drugs.
On January 4, 2020, at 3:50 pm est, members of the Sudbury Traffic Incident Management and Enforcement (TIME) unit of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) stopped a northbound vehicle for speeding on Highway 69, near Richard Lake Road, in the City of Greater Sudbury.
During their investigation, officers seized drugs suspected to be Fentanyl and Cocaine along with a large amount of Canadian currency. The street value of the drugs seized is approximately $100,000.
The driver, Samantha CARDOSO-SOARES, age 18, from Toronto was charged with:
- Possession of a Schedule I Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking – Opioid, contrary to section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA);
- Possession of a Schedule I Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking – Cocaine, contrary to section 5(2) of the CDSA;
- Possession of Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000, contrary to section 354(1)(a) of the Criminal Code (CC);
- Speeding, contrary to section 128 of the Highway Traffic Act (HTA); and
- Drive Vehicle with Cannabis Readily Available, contrary to section 12(1) of the Cannabis Control Act (CCA) 2017.
The accused was released on an Undertaking and is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Sudbury on February 26, 2020.
The passenger, Bidh Preet BHATIA, age 31, from Brampton, was charged with:
- Possession of a Schedule I Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking – Opioid, contrary to section 5(2) of the CDSA;
- Possession of a Schedule I Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking – Cocaine, contrary to section 5(2) of the CDSA;
- Possession of Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000, contrary to section 354(1)(a) of the CC;
- Obstruct Peace Officer, contrary to section 129(a) of the CC;
- Personation with Intent to Avoid Prosecution, contrary to section 403(1)(d) of the CC; and
- Have Care or Control of Vehicle with Cannabis Readily Available, contrary to section 12(1) of the CCA 2017.
The accused remains in custody pending a bail hearing on January 6, 2020 at the Ontario Court of Justice in Sudbury. None of the charges have been proven in court.