Monday, July 25, 2005

Large Marihuana Seizure Joly Township residence.

Large Marihuana Seizure in Iroquois Falls

(Iroquois Falls, On) On July 24th, 2005 Project “Northern Gateway “ (a joint investigation between members of the Ontario Provincial Police OPP Drug Enforcement, North East Region OPP and North Bay Police service), assisted by members of the, Emergency Response Unit, Ract, K-9 and the Iroquois Falls OPP executed a Controlled Drugs and Substance Act Search Warrant at 1282 Frank Road in Clergue Township. That resulted in the seizure of a large quantity of Marihuana in the fields behind the residence.
One Male was arrested at the scene and held pending a bail Hearing in Timmins Court scheduled for Monday the 25th of July. In excess of Twenty -one thousand plants were seized. The plants were in various stages of Growth, ranging in size from 8-24 inches but were estimated at a value in excess of Twenty one Million Dollars upon maturity. Also seized was offence related property (tractor, furrow, pump, hoses, hand implements.) With an estimated value of $35000.00.

Charged:
CHU, Zhi, Ji
0f Scarborough, Ontario

He has been charged with Production of a Controlled Substance to wit Cannabis Marihuana Contrary to Section 7(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.


Gas Theft From Marina

On Wednesday 20 Jul 05 at 3:33pm Manitoulin OPP were called to attend the South Baymouth Marina as the staff report theft of gasoline from the storage tanks at the Marina. It appears that the culprit gained access through the gas cap. Sgt. Rick Rusticus is investigating and are asking the public if anyone knows anything about this to contact police or crime stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS 8477.

Vandals Damage Washrooms at Low Island Park

On Saturday 23 Jul 05 Manitoulin OPP received a call from the NEMI staff advising that over the past few days the washrooms at the public building at Low Island Park in Little Current were damaged by vandals. Damage that had been done was the paper dispensers were broken, Toilets plugged with paper and the floors flooded. This occurred in both the men and women’s washrooms. Police are asking the public to report any suspicious activity around the facilities. Also if anyone has any knowledge about these crimes they are asked to call police or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS 8477.

Stolen Vehicle Recovered In Manitowaning

On Sunday 24 July 05 at 6:30 am – Manitoulin OPP were able to recover a stolen 1998 Chevy Lumina on Cardwell Street in Manitowaning after a report from the Wikwemikong Tribal Police that vehicle had been stolen from a residence in Wekwemikong. The vehicle was taken over night and it was recovered by Constable Dave Millette early the next morning. There was no damage or suspects around the vehicle. A joint investigation has been started between to two police services and if anyone has any knowledge about this crime they are asked to call police or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS 8477.


MANITOULIN OPP Gearing Up For Haweater Weekend

This weekend marks the Civic Day Holiday weekend and along with it are the Haweater Weekend festivities in Little Current. Community Services Officer Constable Allan Boyd stated, “ Haweater Weekend marks one of the busiest weekends for the Manitoulin OPP and we will be ready for it. An operational plan has been developed in which the maximum numbers of officers will be working around the clock to ensure everyone abides by the law and provides a safe weekend for all. Offences under the Liquor Licence Act will not be tolerated and members of the public can be expected to be charged with the appropriate offences. Our Marine Unit & Bicycle patrol officers will be out all weekend along with officers from the Northeast Regional R.I.D.E. team checking for drinking drivers. Also extra officers from the Northeast Regional S.A.V.E. team will be on hand patrolling the waterways around Manitoulin. We hope everyone has a fun weekend however there will be no tolerance for law breakers and we will take quick action accordingly,” Boyd commented.


Civic Holiday Traffic Safety Focus on Driver Fatigue
Falling Asleep at the Wheel – Take a Break!

(Manitoulin, Ontario) ‘Inexplicable things can happen in the middle of a hot summer day. Along a lonely stretch of highway a car drifts into the opposite lane and for no obvious reason slams headlong into an oncoming truck and all the occupants of the car are killed. A vehicle leaves the roadway, at full speed, and smashes into a rock-cut. The driver is dead and there are no witnesses.’

Most likely, crashes similar to these are caused by fatigue - drivers either falling asleep at the wheel or so exhausted they make serious – and fatal – driving errors. In 2004, the OPP investigated 416 fatal roadway crashes that resulted in 476 persons being killed and 16 drivers were reported to be fatigued which represents 3.4% of the fatalities. This may not seem like much but, driver condition is unknown in almost 50% of the fatal crashes and fatigue does play a bigger factor.

Feeling drowsy is dangerous when you are behind the wheel. Your reaction time slows, awareness decreases, and your judgment becomes impaired – just like with drugs or alcohol. There are two times of day when most people are more likely to feel sleepy. One is the afternoon lull from 2-5 p.m. The other is the early morning 2-6 a.m.

You may not notice when drowsiness is creeping up on you. Watch for these early warning signals.

• Your eyesight starts to blur
• You have trouble keeping your eyes open
• You have trouble keeping your head up
• You can’t stop yawning
• You have wandering disconnected thoughts
• You don’t remember driving the last few miles
• You have missed your exit
• You keep drifting out of your lane
• Your speed becomes variable
• You feel irritable and restless


When you are behind the wheel don’t let the monotony of driving take over. If you have even one of these symptoms—sleep may overpower you. Find a safe place to stop and take a break.

Highway traffic safety is an OPP priority this Civic Holiday weekend. Patrol officers urge motorists to make it their priority too – enjoy the weekend but travel safely by driving refreshed and alert.

Watch for the deadly signs of driver fatigue – take a break during the hot summer weather.

Disqualified Driver Charged

One person paid little heed the warning that drivers within the confines of Mobile home parks were subject to the same rules and regulations as persons driving outside the parks. That was not a good thing to have avoided paying attention to. Officers on patrol at Beaumont trailer park in the early hours of the 24th of July 2005, came across William James Neil, 48, operating a motor vehicle. Unfortunately Mr. Neil was a disqualified driver and he did not have an insurance policy for the vehicle. To top it off the plates on the vehicle did not belong there. Alas Mr. Neil will now attend court to answer to those charges.

Domestic Dispute
A 41-year-old Sault Ste. Marie man faces charges following a domestic dispute in MacDonald Township on Saturday afternoon. The man had fled the scene prior to police arrival. Sometime later he returned, contacted police and was placed under arrest. The man has been charged with assault, mischief, and breach of probation.