$50,000 Drug Bust At RIDE

(LITTLE CURRENT, ON) – Two people are facing charges after a Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (RIDE) check resulted in police locating suspected drugs.

On March 21, 2025, at approximately 12:00 a.m., the Manitoulin Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) alongside the United Chief and Councils of Manitoulin Police Service Commission (UCCM) Canine Unit, conducted a RIDE check at the Little Current Swing Bridge on Meredith Street. A vehicle came through the check, and police initiated an investigation. With assistance from UCCM Police Service Dog (PSD) Ben, and his handler, police located suspected drugs, and the driver and passenger were arrested.

As a result, police seized an amount of suspected cocaine with an estimated street value of $49,000, an amount of suspected crack cocaine with an estimated street value of $650, approximately $450 in Canadian currency, and an axe.

The driver, Ashley JACKO-METANSININE, 31-years-old from Wikwemikong Unceded Territory, was charged with:

• Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
• Possession of a Schedule I substance – other drugs
• Possession of a Schedule I substance – opioid
• Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – cocaine
• Failure to comply with release order – two counts
• Operate motor vehicle without insurance
• Having care or control of a motor vehicle with open container of liquor
• Drive motor vehicle – no licence
• Drive motor vehicle – not equipped with ignition interlock device

The passenger, Elizabeth SHAWANDA, 26-years-old from Wikwemikong Unceded Territory, was charged with:

• Possession of weapon for dangerous purpose
• Possession of a Schedule I substance – other drugs
• Possession of a Schedule I substance – opioid
• Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – cocaine
• Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime under $5,000

Both accused are scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice today, March 21, 2025.

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