Two people from Niagara Region face charges after Sault Ste. Marie OPP responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle in Laird on Sunday afternoon.
During a search of the vehicle, officers found suspected fentanyl, methadone containers, pepper spray, drug paraphernalia and an open container of liquor, says a news release issued by OPP.
Full text of the release follows. None of the allegations have been tested in court and both suspects are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
OPP receive a complaint of two suspicious individuals appearing to be dismantling a car on roadway.
On May 19, 2024 shortly before 2 p.m., the Sault Ste. Marie Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the OPP's Traffic Incident Management Enforcement (TIME) Team responded to a suspicious vehicle on MacLennan Road in Laird Township.
Police arrived a short time later and determined a couple were relocating to another province and were having issues with their car and were attempting to repair it. A query revealed the driver was in breach of a curfew.
Police with the assistance from the Sault Ste Marie OPP Canine Unit conducted a search of the vehicle and officers located over 75 grams of suspected fentanyl, 6 methadone containers, one container of pepper spray, drug paraphernalia and an open container of liquor. The estimated street value of the drugs is over $7,500.
As a result, Jayme Nicholls, 34 years of age from St. Catharines, was charged with:
- Failure to comply with undertaking (three counts)
- Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose trafficking-Opioid (other than heroin) (two counts)
- Driving while under suspension
- Having care or control of a motor vehicle with open container of liquor
The accused appeared before the Ontario Court of Justice Video Bail in Sault Ste. Marie on May 20, 2024, and was remanded into custody.
The passenger, Brenda Vautour, 39 years of age from Welland, was charged with:
- Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose trafficking-Opioid (other than heroin)
The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Sault Ste Marie on July 15, 2024.