Earlier today, members of the East Algoma OPP were on regular patrol duties on Highway 17 west of Blind River when they hit the jackpot.
As a result of what they call a "routine" traffic stop, the officer detected a strong odor of cannabis marijuana coming from the vehicle. The driver was arrested and the vehicle was searched.
Police located over 70 pounds of cannabis marijuana, cocaine weighing over 380 grams, a small amount of oxycodone and $750 in Canadian currency. Estimated street value of the cannabis marijuana and cocaine is over $350,000.
A police spokesperson says they caught a lucky break, and the driver was not under suspicion at the time.
Bruce Reader, 23 years of age, from Echo Bay, Ontario, was charged with:
- Possession Property obtained by Crime Under $5,000,
- Possession of a Schedule II Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking –over 3 kilograms,
- Possession of a Schedule I Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking –Cocaine,
- Possession of a Schedule I Substance for Having Oxycodone in his Possession,
Reader is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Blind River on January 5, 2017.
