Northumberland OPP – Traffic Stop Results In Seizure of Nearly $2 Million In Illegal Pot
On Saturday September 14, 2019 members from the Northumberland Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) conducted a traffic stop on a white cargo rental van after receiving a call from a concerned citizen regarding a possible impaired driver that just left the service center in Port Hope heading eastbound on Highway 401 just before 2:00 pm.
Officers stopped the vehicle just east Cobourg. During the traffic stop, officers determined that the occupants of the vehicle were involved in the trafficking of illicit drugs.
As a result of the investigation officers seized 426 pounds of cannabis marihuana which has a street value of approximately 1.9 million dollars.
Kiryl ANDRUSHKEVICH (age 26) of Oakville, Ontario and Damaris NATAREN ORTEGA (age 32) of Toronto, Ontario were arrested and each charged under the Cannabis Act with :
· Possession of over 30g dried cannabis (or equivalent) in a public place
· Possession of illicit cannabis
· Possess, produce, sell distribute or impiort anything with intention to use it to produce,sell or distribute illicit cannabis
· Possession for the purpose of distributing
Kiryl ANDRUSHKEVICH was additionally charged under the Criminal Code of Canada with:
· Fail to Comply with Undertaking.
NATAREN ORTEGA was additionaly charged under the Cannabis Control Act with:
· Have care or control of a vehcle or boat with cannabis readily available.
Both accused were held in custody for Show Cause Bail Hearing on Sunday September 15, 2019.
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