A traffic stop in the city of Belleville earlier this month has led to drug charges for four local people.

On Wednesday January 13, 2021 members of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) East Region Community Street Crime Unit (CSCU), stopped a vehicle in Belleville as part of an ongoing drug investigation.

As a result of the investigation,  officers located and seized a quantity of cocaine, hydromorphone, four cellular phones, a collection of Canadian currency and a variety of other drug paraphernalia.

OPP have charged Justin Benson, 38, Donald Duffy, 42, Michael Marks, 38 and Dorothy Spiers, 47, all of Picton with the following offences:

·        Possession of a schedule one substance- three counts – section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act

·        Possession of property obtained by crime under $5000- section 354(1)(a) of the Criminal Code of Canada

·        Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime under $5000 – section 354(1)(a) of the Criminal Code of Canada

The accused parties were released on an undertaking to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Picton on March 10, 2021.

Anyone with information that can assist the Prince Edward County OPP with this investigation can call 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477(TIPS) or submit a secure web tip at www.crimestoppersquinte.cawhere you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.

-Staff