A virtual pharmacy of illicit drugs was seized after Port Hope Police investigated a possible impaired driver at McDonald’s on Sunday, September 2, 2018.
A starters pistol, brass knuckles, knives, digital scales, a needle, a large amount of cash and numerous illegal drugs were seized during the investigation.
Constable Steve Austin told Today’s Northumberland staff at McDonald’s phoned police about a driver who was possibly impaired.
“Two employees had recognized there was a problem with the person going through the drive-thru.”
“As the person was trying to park he actually jumped over the curb and parked sideways in the wrong spot.”
Staff approached the individual, took the keys and called police.
Austin said the driver wasn’t impaired by alcohol, but is charged with being impaired by narcotics.
“When I approached the vehicle he was in the driver’s seat and it appeared he was sleeping behind the steering wheel.”
During the arrest the suspect was aggressive with officers and was tasered.
“He complied right after that, obviously was subdued and handcuffed.”
When they searched the suspect they found what they thought was a firearm, but turned out to be a starter’s pistol hidden in his waistline, a knife hidden in his waistline, a large quantity of cash hidden in his waistline.
After searching his vehicle they found more illegal drugs and a large amount of money.
The suspect is known to police, but Austin said police were there for a impaired driver.
“Like most investigations sometimes it unfolds into something completely different.”
“It wasn’t shocking to find the stuff we did with this gentleman, but you have to prepare for that on a daily basis.”
Police services across the world are always finding areas where illegal narcotics are found.
While police were searching the back of the vehicle, they found three Pringles containers that had chips on the top when you opened the lid, but they also had a false bottom. One Pringles container had crack cocaine concealed in the Pringles container, another had Clonazepam which is a tranquillizer sed to prevent and treat seizures, panic disorder and Lorazepam which is used to treat anxiety disorders.
“Some other things we have to worry about for our own precaution, there was a loaded needle (which had what is called Purple Heroin which is a mixture of heroin and fentanyl) which we found in the vehicle.”
When Austin first approached the vehicle a large amount of cash was on the suspects lap wrapped up in blue elastic bands. Another large amount of money was found on the suspect wrapped in a different colour of elastic bands.
“This is usually an indication of amounts or people who are given the money. It’s just a way of keeping track of it themselves. Blue bands for somebody or x-amount of dollars, red bands for somebody else or x-amount of dollars.”
Austin said Port Hope Police are very grateful to the Cobourg Police for their quick assistance and helping with the investigation.
Sgt. Matt Lawrence said about the amount of drugs and charges that, “there is an increase in drug offences and violent offences which could all be related to the drug culture in Northumberland County.”
Items seized during the investigation were, purple heroin (fentanyl and heroin), heroin, crystal meth, crack cocaine, Clonazepam, Lorazepam, Hydromorephone, cocaine, marijuana, brass knuckles, scales, Narcan, baggies, needle with purple heroin inside, nearly $9,000 in cash and a replica gun/starters pistol.
Matthew Caniano, age 29 of no fixed address is being held for a bail hearing and is facing charges of
· 10 counts of possession for the purposes of trafficking
· 6 counts of possession of a controlled substance
· care or control of a motor vehicle impaired by drugs (impaired driving)
· assault with intent to resist arrest
· possession of imitation weapon for dangerous purpose
· 3 counts of carry a concealed weapon
· possession weapon for a dangerous purpose
· 2 counts breaching weapon prohibition order
· 2 counts breach of probation
· 2 counts of possession of property obtained by crime
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
