HAWKESBURY — Officers from the Hawkesbury detachment of the OPP have been taking part in the rotating checks at interprovincial crossings over the past few weeks, in an attempt to curb non-essential travel between Ontario and Quebec. While officers were stationed at the checkpoint in East Hawkesbury on May 3rd, around 2:30 PM, a driver was stopped at the request of the police. A Drug Recognition Expert from the OPP was brought in soon after, who determined that the driver was under the influence of drugs. Most notably, during a search of the car, officers allegedly found a sawn-off shotgun and ammunition.
The driver was subsequently arrested and charged with:
- Operation while impaired – alcohol and drugs
- Transport firearm, in a careless manner
- Breach of firearms regulation- transport firearm
- Unauthorized possession of firearm
- Knowledge of unauthorized possession of weapon
- Occupant of motor vehicle knowing there was a firearm
- Possession of firearm or ammunition contrary to Prohibition Order
- Failure to comply with release order
- Possession of a firearm knowing serial number had been tampered with
- Driving under licence of other jurisdiction while suspended in Ontario
- Drive vehicle with cannabis readily available – Cannabis Control Ac
- Driving a motor vehicle with liquor readily available
The accused has yet to receive a court date.