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Drug trafficking charge laid when police find suspected fentanyl in vehicle

Police say there was also a replica firearm in the vehicle
2020-08-04 City Police Stock BC
Sault Ste. Marie Police file photo. Brad Coccimiglio/SooToday

Police have laid drug trafficking charges against a 55-year-old Sault man following a traffic stop downtown.

Sault Police say at 8:44 p.m. last night, a traffic stop was conducted in the area of Blucher Street and Albert Street East.

Police report observing four people in the vehicle, with the accused in the rear.

Officers developed grounds to believe there may be a firearm in the vehicle while speaking with the occupants.

All four occupants were removed from the vehicle, and officers found a suspected controlled substance.

All parties were detained, and a subsequent search of the area of arrest located a replica firearm.

On the accused, police report finding 22.7 grams of suspected fentanyl.

As a result, Rene Quenel has been arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking and breach of probation.

The other three occupants were released unconditionally.

The accused is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 4, 2021.