Skip to content

Fail to change lanes leads to drug charges in Espanola

A 50-year-old man from PEI has been charged with possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking as well property obtained by crime
2015 11 30 OPP cruiser turl

NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
*************************
ESPANOLA - On May 26, 2019, an officer from the Manitoulin detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) was conducting a traffic stop with his emergency lights activated, when another vehicle failed to move over for the police vehicle. The officer located that vehicle and conducted a stop.

While speaking with the driver, the officer detected a strong odour of cannabis within the vehicle. A quantity of cannabis resin and cash was seized. The estimated street value of the seized items is over $10,000.

As a result of the investigation, 50-year-old John Gaudet of Miscouche, Prince Edward Island, has been charged with the following:

  • Fail to Move into Another Lane for Emergency Vehicle or Tow Truck - If Safe to do, contrary to section 159(3) of the Highway Traffic Act;
  • Possession of a Schedule II substance for the Purpose of Trafficking, contrary to section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act; and
  • Possession of Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000, contrary to section 354(1)(a) of the Criminal Code.

The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Sudbury for a bail hearing on May 28, 2019.

The Ontario Move Over Law requires drivers to slow down when approaching an emergency vehicle or a tow truck on the roadside with its amber lights flashing and, on roads with two or more lanes, move over and leave a lane of space between you and the emergency vehicle if it is safe to do so.

*************************