(COCHRANE, ON) – The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) arrested and charged a driver with multiple offences after a traffic stop in Cochrane.
On Wednesday November 19, 2025, at approximately 3:40 p.m., members of the James Bay (OPP) conducted a traffic stop on Highway 11 West after an Automated Licence Plate Recognition (ALPR) alert indicated the registered owner was a suspended driver.
Police confirmed the driver to be the registered owner and confirmed they had multiple driving suspensions including a Criminal Code prohibition was found to be suspended for multiple reasons, including Criminal Code prohibition.
During a search incident to arrest, officers located a quantity of suspected fentanyl on the individual. A subsequent search of the vehicle led to the seizure of approximately $2,500 in Canadian Currency, an imitation handgun and additional drugs suspected to be crack cocaine, cocaine and fentanyl.
As a result of the investigation, Melissa BOUCHARD, 40 years-of-age of Cochrane, was charged with the following offences:
- Operation while prohibited
- Fail to comply with probation order
- Possession of imitation weapon for dangerous purpose
- Carrying concealed weapon
- Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime under $5000
- Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – cocaine
- Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – crack cocaine
- Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – fentanyl
- Drive while under suspension – two counts
The accused was held in custody for a bail hearing before the Ontario Court of Justice in Cochrane. The vehicle was impounded for 45 days as a result of the criminal driving suspension.
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