NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
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On Oct. 19, 2023 at approximately 8:30 a.m., the East Algoma Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) received a call regarding a driver passed out in a parked vehicle on Westhill Road in Elliot Lake.
The complainant reported that a male was passed out in the driver's seat of a silver Jeep. Police attended the location and spoke to the driver. A half empty bottle of liquor was observed on the passenger seat and the driver exhibited signs of impairment.
The driver was subsequently arrested and in his possession was a used crack pipe, small baggies, digital scale, numerous cell phones, two open bottles of liquor, approximately 12 grams of suspected cocaine, approximately 44 suspected Xanax pills, almost 55 grams of suspected crystal meth, and approximately 30 millilitres of suspected Pyrantel Pamoate. His driver's licence was suspended and the vehicle was towed and impounded.
Botuli (Sam) Ilanga, 39 years old from Elliot Lake, was charged with:
• Operation while impaired - alcohol and drugs
• Possession of a Schedule I Substance for the purpose of trafficking - cocaine
• Possession of a Schedule III Substance for the purpose of trafficking
• Possession of a Schedule IV Substance for the purpose of trafficking
• Possession of a Schedule I Substance for the purpose of trafficking - methamphetamine
• Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime under $5,000
The accused was scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice Bail Court in Blind River on Oct. 20, 2023.
The OPP would like to remind the motoring public to drive sober; this includes drug consumption as well. Impairment by drugs is a crime under the Criminal Code and drivers are subject to the same penalties as those who are charged with driving while impaired by alcohol. A charge of impairment by drugs involves all drugs, be it prescription, over-the-counter and those that are illegal.
The OPP has highly trained drug recognition experts who are skilled in the detection and investigation of drug impaired drivers. 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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