Police dogs sniff out 'shrooms at high school

East Algoma OPP report that they located psilocybin (magic mushrooms) yesterday during a search of lockers and classrooms at Central Algoma Secondary School in Desbarats.

With help from a canine unit from Sault Ste. Marie City Police, they located the 'shrooms in the possession of a young person from St. Joseph Island.

To learn more about psilocybin, please click here.

East Algoma OPP also today report a drug bust at a home in Thessalon, and arresting a trucker who drove an off-duty cop off the road.

The following is the full text of today's news release from the detachment:

**************************************************************** Drug search at CASS

(Desbarats, Ontario) The East Algoma OPP, the North East Region Canine Unit and the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service Canine Unit conducted a drug search on Wednesday November 26, 2003 at Central Algoma Secondary School.

Three members of the canine units attended with their respective dogs and conducted searches of the lockers and classrooms.

One male young person (who can’t be identified under the new Youth Criminal Justice Act) from St. Joseph Island has been charged with "Possession of a Controlled Drug" under Schedule III of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

He was in possession of Psilocybin (Magic Mushrooms).

The accused was released on a Promise to Appear in Thessalon Court on January 29, 2004.

Drug warrant executed

(Thessalon, Ontario) On Wednesday November 26, 2003 at approximately 12:30 pm, members of the Joint Forces Operation Drug Unit from Sault Ste. Marie and the East Algoma OPP executed a CDSA (Controlled Drugs and Substances Act) Search Warrant at a residence in Thessalon, Ontario.

As a result of the search warrant, Jessica BIGRAS (21) of Thessalon, Ontario has been charged with: Possession of a Controlled Drug (cannabis resin) Section 4(1) of the CDSA and Production of a Controlled Drug (marihuana) Section 7(1) of the CDSA (X2)

Twenty-nine (29) marijuana plants and cannabis resin were located in the residence.

The estimated value of the narcotics seized is $15,000.00.

BIGRAS was released on a Promise to Appear in Thessalon court on January 29. 2004.

An arrest warrant has been issued for a male adult involved in the occurrence.

Transport driver charged

(Bruce Mines, Ontario) The East Algoma OPP were contacted early this morning at approximately 6 a.m. by an off duty police officer that was forced off Highway 17 east of Bruce Mines near Waltonen Road by an eastbound transport.

The off duty police officer was traveling westbound on Highway 17 when the occurrence happened.

The two motor vehicles met in the westbound lane on a curve.

The off-duty officer took evasive action by taking the highway shoulder to avoid a collision.

Jaspal Singh BRAR of British Columbia has been charged with "Drive left of center on a curve," contrary to the Highway Traffic Act.

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