FORT WILLIAM FIRST NATION — A traffic stop involving an ATV on Mission Road led Anishinabek Police Service officers to recover allegedly stolen property and seize suspected cocaine and $4,450 in cash Monday morning.
APS says a 44-year-old Fort William First Nation man was arrested following the Aug. 24, 2026, traffic stop. Police allege the driver resisted arrest, leading officers to deploy a conducted-energy weapon, commonly known as a Taser. Police say the man was not injured and did not require medical attention.
The accused was subsequently charged with drug, property and other offences and was being held pending a bail hearing.
Helmet Observation Leads to Traffic Stop on Mission Road
According to APS, officers were conducting traffic enforcement in Fort William First Nation shortly after 10:30 a.m. when they observed an ATV pulling a trailer.
Police say a passenger on the ATV was not wearing a helmet.
Officers stopped the ATV and, during the investigation, determined that the ATV, a boat trailer and an outboard motor had been reported stolen.
APS alleges officers then told the driver he was under arrest.
Police say the man actively resisted officers. Because the arrest was taking place near traffic on Mission Road, APS says officers issued a number of verbal warnings before deploying a conducted-energy weapon.
Police report the man was then taken into custody without injury.
The police account of the circumstances surrounding the use of force has not been tested in court.
Police Say Bag Containing White Substance Was Thrown During Arrest
APS alleges that while the arrest was taking place, officers saw the driver remove a baggie containing a white substance from his pocket and throw it away from himself.
Police report seizing:
- $4,450 in Canadian currency;
- approximately 24 grams of suspected cocaine; and
- approximately 0.15 grams of suspected crack cocaine.
The substances are described by police as suspected drugs. That allegation will have to be established through evidence as the case proceeds.
Charges Laid
APS says the 44-year-old Fort William First Nation man is charged with:
- possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking;
- possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000;
- possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000;
- resisting a peace officer; and
- failing to comply with a probation order.
He was held for a bail hearing.
The investigation remains ongoing.
<H3>What the Drug Charge Means Under Canadian Law</H3>
The wording supplied by APS describes the allegation as “Possession of a Schedule II Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking.”
There is an important legal distinction for readers.
Under the current Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, cocaine is listed in Schedule I, not Schedule II. Section 5(2) of the Act makes it an offence to possess a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking.
The APS release describes both the cocaine and crack cocaine as suspected substances. NetNewsLedger is therefore reporting the charge as provided by police while noting the federal scheduling distinction.
For a Schedule I substance such as cocaine, a conviction for possession for the purpose of trafficking is an indictable offence carrying a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. There is no suggestion that a maximum sentence would automatically apply in this case. Sentencing is individualized and can depend on factors including the quantity and nature of the drug, the circumstances of the offence, the offender’s criminal record and aggravating or mitigating factors.
Possession of Property Obtained by Crime
Section 354(1) of the Criminal Code makes it an offence to possess property while knowing that all or part of that property was obtained directly or indirectly through an indictable offence.
Where the value of the property is more than $5,000, the offence can be prosecuted by indictment and carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, or it can proceed summarily.
Where the value is $5,000 or less, an indictable conviction carries a maximum of two years imprisonment, with a summary-conviction option also available.
For offences prosecuted summarily where no different punishment is specified, the Criminal Code generally provides for a maximum fine of $5,000, imprisonment of up to two years less a day, or both.
The Crown would still have to prove the necessary elements of any property offence beyond a reasonable doubt.
Resisting a Peace Officer
Section 129 of the Criminal Code addresses resisting or wilfully obstructing a peace officer while that officer is carrying out lawful duties.
The offence is hybrid. If prosecuted by indictment, it carries a maximum sentence of two years imprisonment. It may also proceed by summary conviction.
In this case, APS alleges the accused resisted after being advised that he was under arrest. That allegation has not been proven in court.
Failing to Comply With a Probation Order
Section 733.1 of the Criminal Code makes it an offence for a person bound by a probation order to fail or refuse, without reasonable excuse, to comply with its conditions.
If prosecuted by indictment, the offence carries a maximum sentence of four years imprisonment. It may also be prosecuted summarily.
The specific probation condition the accused is alleged to have breached was not detailed in the information released by APS.
Investigation Continues
APS is asking anyone with information relevant to the investigation to contact police at 807-625-0232.
Community members can also report suspicious activity through the Anishinabek Police Service online reporting system.
Anonymous information may be provided to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or through Ontario Crime Stoppers. Information leading to a successful investigation may qualify for a cash reward.
None of the charges against the accused has been proven in court. The accused is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
