On Sunday, February 12, 2023, at 10:55 a.m., a Barrie Police officer conducted a traffic stop involving a pickup truck on Dunlop St. in the city of Barrie after it was determined that the registered owner was a suspended driver.
After speaking with the driver, the investigating officer noted that he had a condition on his driver’s licence that required him to operate a motor vehicle that was equipped with an ignition interlock device. Observing that there was no interlock device in the pickup truck, the 33-year-old driver from Barrie was arrested for Operation while Prohibited. The officer also observed signs of impairment and further advised the driver that he was also under arrest for Impaired Operation. Arrangements were then made to have a qualified Drug Recognition Evaluator (DRE) assist with this ongoing investigation.
Prior to leaving the Dunlop St. area where the traffic stop was conducted, the investigation officer located a significant quantity of a substance that was believed to be fentanyl.
A 35-year-old male passenger, from Innisfil was also arrested for being in possession of substances believed to be cocaine and methamphetamine. Both men were then transported to Barrie Police Headquarters where the investigation continued.
The passenger was released from custody just before noon and was charged with two counts of Possession of a Schedule 1 Substance (cocaine and methamphetamine).
The driver was investigated by a qualified Drug Recognition Evaluator who confirmed that he was impaired by drug. This male was charged with two Highway Traffic Act and criminally with:
- Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking – Fentanyl
- Possession of a Schedule 1 Substance – Fentanyl
- Impaired Operation
- Operation while Prohibited.
Both men are scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice located in Barrie on March 22, 2023, to answer to these criminal charges.
| Occurrence #: | BA23009362 |
| Prepared by: | Corporate Communications Coordinator, |