Leeds OPP Charged Two Individuals with Dozen of Charges During RIDE Program

Portland – The Leeds County Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has charged two individuals with dozens of charges as a result of a RIDE (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) program.

On August 14, 2024, at 3:30 p.m., Leeds County OPP officers were conducting a RIDE program near Highway 15 and County Road 5, when a vehicle was observed conducting a U-turn as it approached the officers. The vehicle was subsequently stopped. The driver was arrested when it was determined he was prohibited from driving as a result of previous convictions.

Officers observed what appeared to be drugs and drug paraphernalia in the car; the passenger was also arrested.

Officers seized from the vehicle the following:

• Over 200 grams of suspected cannabis
• Over 30 tablets of suspected codeine
• Half a gram of suspected crack cocaine
• Over 50 grams of suspected methamphetamine
• Over 50 capsules and tablets of suspected narcotics
• Four packs of contraband cigarettes
• Three smartphones

A 60-year-old man, and a 44-year-old female, both of Rideau Lakes Township, were charged with the following:

Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – four counts, Controlled Drug and Substances Act
Possession of over 30g dried cannabis in a public place, Cannabis Act
Failure to comply with release order – other than to attend court, Criminal Code

The man was also charged with the following:

• Fail to stop on the right for an emergency vehicle, Highway Traffic Act
• Operate unsafe vehicle, Highway Traffic Act
• Permit use of plate not in accordance with Act, Highway Traffic Act
• Possess unmarked fine-cut tobacco, Tobacco Tax Act
• Operate a motor vehicle without insurance, Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act
• Operation while prohibited under the Criminal Code, Criminal Code
• Failure to comply with release order – other than to attend court (second count), Criminal Code

The female was also charged with the following:

• Obstruct peace officer, Criminal Code
• Fail to comply with probation order, Criminal Code

Both accused were remanded into custody following a bail hearing before the Ontario Court of Justice in Brockville.