$50,000 Drug Bust At RIDE
Source: OPP
Date: Tue Mar 25 08:35:38 MST 2025
On March 21, 2025, at approximately 12:00 a.m., the Manitoulin Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) alongside the United Chief and Councils of Manitoulin Police Service Commission (UCCM) Canine Unit, conducted a RIDE check at the Little Current Swing Bridge on Meredith Street. A vehicle came through the check, and police initiated an investigation. With assistance from UCCM Police Service Dog (PSD) Ben, and his handler, police located suspected drugs, and the driver and passenger were arrested.
As a result, police seized an amount of suspected cocaine with an estimated street value of $49,000, an amount of suspected crack cocaine with an estimated street value of $650, approximately $450 in Canadian currency, and an axe.
The driver, Ashley JACKO-METANSININE, 31-years-old from Wikwemikong Unceded Territory, was charged with:
Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
Possession of a Schedule I substance – other drugs
Possession of a Schedule I substance – opioid
Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – cocaine
Failure to comply with release order – two counts
Operate motor vehicle without insurance
Having care or control of a motor vehicle with open container of liquor
Drive motor vehicle – no licence
Drive motor vehicle – not equipped with ignition interlock device
The passenger, Elizabeth SHAWANDA, 26-years-old from Wikwemikong Unceded Territory, was charged with:
Possession of weapon for dangerous purpose
Possession of a Schedule I substance – other drugs
Possession of a Schedule I substance – opioid
Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – cocaine
Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime under $5,000
Both accused are scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice today, March 21, 2025.