ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
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ESPANOLA - On Tuesday, March 26, 2019, at approximately 4:19 p.m., officers from the Manitoulin Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), responded to a call from a concerned citizen reporting a female suspected to be passed out in her vehicle near Centre Street, in Espanola, Ont.
The officers located the suspect vehicle and spoke with the occupants.
As a result of the police investigation, officers seized suspected methamphetamine pills and suspected heroin. The approximate value of the suspected drugs is over $3,500.
With the assistance of an OPP Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) officer, it was determined that the female driver was impaired by drugs.
Vanessa Shears, 32-years-old from Espanola, Ont. has been charged with:
- Possession of a Schedule I Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking - Other Drugs, contrary to section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA);
- Possession of a Schedule I Substance - Heroin, contrary to section 4(1) of the CDSA; and
- Operation While Impaired - Drugs, contrary to section 320.14(1)(a) of the Criminal Code (CC)
Alain Galarneau, 33-years-old from Baldwin Township, Ont. has been charged with:
- Possession of a Schedule I Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking - Other Drugs, contrary to section 5(2) of the CDSA.
Both of the accused are scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Espanola, on June 3, 2019.
The OPP has highly trained Drug Recognition Evaluator (DRE) officers who are skilled in the detection and investigation of drug impaired drivers.
A charge of impairment by drugs involves all drugs, be it prescription, over-the-counter and those that are illegal. Should you observe a suspected impaired driver, please dial 911 or contact the Ontario Provincial Police at 1-888-310-1122.
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