After receiving a suspicious vehicle complaint at approximately 1:31 a.m. January 29, 2024 from a community member, the Ontario Provincial Police Communication Centre dispatched members of the Southern Georgian Bay OPP Detachment who attended the rear of a William Street, Midland strip mall and located the suspect vehicle.
Officers approached the running vehicle and located an individual passed out in the drivers seat along with another individual in the passenger seat. Officers observed numerous pieces of drug paraphernalia inside the vehicle and upon a waking and speaking with the driver, entered into a impaired by drug investigation.
Further investigation at the scene resulted in the seizure of a quantity of cocaine and Canadian currency from the vehicle leading to the arrest of the passenger.
A OPP Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) assisted in the impaired driving investigation resulting in the driver, Lance Earl Andrews 54 years of Midland being charged with the following offences.
- Operation while impaired – drugs
- Unauthorized Possession of Weapon
- Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of Trafficking – Cocaine
- Possession of a Schedule I Substance- Cocaine
The accused was held for a bail hearing and will be appearing before the Ontario Court a later date.
The passenger Catherine Lee Watters 26 years of Tay Township after investigation has been charged with the following offences contrary to the Controlled Drug and Substances Act.
- Possession of a Schedule II substance for the purpose of Trafficking
- Possession of a Schedule I Substance- Cocaine
The accused was released from custody to appear before the Ontario Court on March 14, 2024.
