Drug Bust @ RIDE

(ESPANOLA, ON) – Two people have been arrested and charged following a Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (RIDE) check, which led to the seizure of a large amount of cannabis.

On November 19, 2024, at approximately 12:45 a.m., The Manitoulin Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were conducting a RIDE check on Highway 6 near Espanola. A vehicle approached officers, and police noticed an odour of cannabis coming from the vehicle. Further investigation resulted in two people being arrested.

Additionally, officers located over 12kg of dried cannabis, with a street value of approximately $41,200, over 140 packages of cannabis gummies with a street value of approximately $5,800, 50 cannabis vape pen cartridges with a street value of approximately $2,000 and over 10g of suspected cocaine, with a street value of approximately $1,000, and Canadian currency.

As a result, the driver, Edward SMAGALA, 58-years-old from Annan, was charged with:

• Possession of a Schedule I Substance – cocaine
• Possessing cannabis for the purpose of selling
• Possession for the purpose of distributing
• Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime over $5,000

The passenger, Hao Dong LIANG, 33-years-old from Markham, was charged with:

• Possession of a Schedule I Substance – cocaine
• Possessing cannabis for the purpose of selling
• Possession for the purpose of distributing
• Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime over $5,000

Both accused were held in custody and are scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice Bail Court in Sudbury on November 19, 2024.

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