OPP seize $5K in drugs after pulling over 'suspicious' pickup

Two people are facing drug trafficking charges after the OPP in Elliot Lake say they pulled over a “suspicious” pickup truck and found $5,000 worth of crystal meth, crack cocaine and fentanyl.

Early Thursday morning, around 1:15 a.m., police say officers on patrol watched a pickup in the downtown commercial area turn at two different stop signs without signaling.

After pulling over the truck, police say they discovered the driver was breaching a curfew. Officers say they also noticed what appeared to be crack cocaine in the front seat. Both the driver and the passenger were arrested.

A subsequent search of the truck and the suspects turned up the drugs, police say, as well as $2,090 in cash.

The driver, 24-year-old Cody Ottaway of Ennismore, Ont. is charged with:

• possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking - cocaine
• possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking - methamphetamine
• possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking - opioid (other than heroin)
• possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000
• failure to comply with release order - other than to attend court (two counts)

The passenger, 52-year-old M. Christopher Roy of Blind River, is charged with:

• possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking - cocaine
• possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking - methamphetamine
• possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking - opioid (other than heroin)
• possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000

Ottaway was remanded into custody after a video bail hearing. Roy is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Elliot Lake on Feb. 8, 2024.

None of the allegations have been tested in court and both men are considered innocent unless proven guilty.