GRAVENHURST MAN CHARGED AFTER ILLEGAL CANNABIS EDIBLES FOUND IN VEHICLE
ORILLIA — A Gravenhurst man and a friend from Orillia face numerous drug-related charges after being stopped here Tuesday night.
Police say that on Feb. 9, just before 10 p.m., officers observed a vehicle being driven on Wyandotte Street by an person suspected of having a suspended driver’s licence.
The vehicle was stopped and the driver was arrested for driving while under suspension.
A passenger recognized by the officers was found to be in contravention of release conditions and also arrested.
Searches resulted in the seizure of quantities of cocaine, fentanyl, illicit cannabis, Oxycodone and Canadian currency.
As a result, the driver, Aaron Schell, 29, of Gravenhurst, has been charged with:
- Driving while under suspension
- Possess licence while prohibited
- Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – opioid
- Possession of a schedule I substance – Opioid
- Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – cocaine
- Possession of a schedule I substance – cocaine
- Possession of illicit cannabis
- Distribute illicit cannabis
- Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime over $5,000.
Schell was released on a Form 10 Undertaking and is set to appear on April 20, 2021, at the Ontario Court of Justice, Orillia.
The vehicle passenger, Paul Hart-Payne, 27, of Orillia, has been charged with:
- Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – opioid
- Possession of a schedule I substance – Opioid
- Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – cocaine
- Possession of a schedule I substance – cocaine
- Possession of illicit cannabis
- Distribute illicit cannabis
- Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime over $5,000
- Fail to comply with release order
- Fail to comply with probation order
Hart-Payne was held in custody for a bail hearing Feb. 10, 2021, at the Ontario Court of Justice, Barrie.
During this investigation, officers located and seized numerous cannabis edibles that were packaged in brightly coloured plastic wrappers that closely resemble commonly available candy packaging. Parents and caregivers are cautioned to be aware of the presence of these cannabis products in our community.
Edibles themselves are legal, but Health Canada rules say cannabis-infused edibles can’t be packaged with images or bright colours that can appeal to children, must have child safety warnings and be child-resistant.
The seized edibles contain enough THC to seriously harm an adult.
A recent story in the CBC cited a two-year-old who was poisoned by eating his grandfather’s edibles who took them for arthritis.
See that story here.
If you have any information about crime in our community please contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or report minor occurrences online by visiting www.opp.ca/reporting. You can also call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or submit your information online at www.crimestopperssdm.com if you have any information on this crime or any other crime. Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to call display and you will remain anonymous. Being anonymous, you will not testify in court and your information may lead to a cash reward of up to $2,000.
