Cops inspect more than 1,000 vehicles at Hempfest

OPP NEWS RELEASE

************************* Hempfest RIDE initiative

POPLAR DALE ROAD, ABERDEEN TWP – On the 27th, 28th and 29th of August, members of the Ontario Provincial Police conducted RIDE spot checks on Poplar Dale Road in Aberdeen Township, north of Bruce Mines, Ontario.

Approximately 1,050 motor vehicles were checked over the three-day period.

Results

- Two drivers were issued a three-day driving suspension.

- One subject was arrested for impaired operation by a drug.

- Twenty-three charges were laid under the Highway Traffic Act.

- Thirty charges were laid under the Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act.

- Two charges were laid under the Liquor Licence Act.

- Eleven notices of drivers licence suspension issued.

- One male was arrested on an outstanding warrant from Sault Ste. Marie Police Service.

- Five unsafe motor vehicles were removed from the highway.

- On Friday August 28 during the RIDE initiative, officers observed what appeared to be a handgun under the passenger seat of one of the vehicles. Further investigation revealed that the handgun was in fact a replica toy gun. During incidents such as this, officers have to assume that they are dealing with a real firearm and act accordingly. We would like to remind members of the public that they should ensure items such as this are not left lying around in their motor vehicles to avoid this type of situation.

************************* Earlier SooToday.com coverage of this story

Pictures of police Hempfest encampment