Hamilton Police remind the public to be careful when transporting cannabis. The law states, “No person shall drive or have care or control of a vehicle or boat, whether or not it is in motion, while cannabis is contained in the vehicle or boat”. The exception is “Cannabis must be packed in baggage that is fastened closed or is not otherwise readily available to any person in the vehicle or boat”.

On Friday, January 11, 2019, shortly after 8:00 p.m., Hamilton Police were conducting RIDE lanes in the area of Cannon Street East and Melrose Avenue. At that time a red Ford Fusion entered the lanes and a conversation was initiated between police and the driver. The odour of freshly burned marihuana was detected by police. An investigation under the Cannabis Act commenced and police located evidence to support the trafficking of drugs within the vehicle. The driver was arrested and further investigation revealed the driver’s licence had been suspended under the Highway Traffic Act.

The driver was taken into police custody and later released with a court date of Wednesday, February 13, 2019, to answer to the charge of possession for the purpose of trafficking- cocaine. 

The driver will appear in court on Monday, February 11, 2019, to answer to the charges of drive while under suspension and drive vehicle with cannabis readily available.

SEIZED

Cocaine 3.5 grams

Cannabis 1 gram

Cellphones X2

Drug paraphernalia

CHARGED

Mississauga man, 21-years-of-age

CHARGES

Possession of controlled drugs for the purpose of trafficking - Cocaine

Drive motor vehicle with Cannabis readily available

Drive while under suspension

On Monday, December 17, 2018, shortly after 8:30 p.m., members of the Hamilton Police Service were conducting a R.I.D.E. Program in the area of Kenilworth Avenue North and McAnulty Boulevard, Hamilton. At that time a black Chevrolet Aveo was observed travelling towards the program when it stopped and conducted a U-turn, believed to be in an attempt to avoid police. Efforts were made to conduct a traffic stop; however, the vehicle continued onwards. At the intersection of Kenilworth Avenue and Dofasco Road police were able to ‘box in’ the suspect vehicle. The driver was arrested without further incident. The investigation revealed the vehicle operator was a suspended driver.

A search of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of a bag of cannabis weighing nearly one pound. The driver has been released from police custody after being issued several Provincial Offence tickets under the Ontario Highway Traffic Act along with a future court date for violating the Cannabis Act.

The vehicle was towed from the scene.

CHARGED

• 36-year-old Toronto male

CHARGES

• Cannabis Act s. 8(1)(a) - Possession of Dried Cannabis Over 30g in a Public Place
• Highway Traffic Act s. 53(1) - Drive While Under Suspension
• Highway Traffic Act s. 216(1) - Driver Fail to Stop When Directed by Police
• Highway Traffic Act s. 130 - Careless Driving
• Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act s. 3(1) - Fail to Surrender Insurance Card