People found passed out behind the wheel in the Sault two night in a row, drugs seized

Northern Ont. police say driver had $3.7M in drugs An impaired driving investigation took a surprising turn this week near Manitoulin when police uncovered a huge drug stash.

Sault police have charged three people and seized more than $33,300 in narcotics after the suspects, including two drivers, were found passed out in running vehicles two nights in a row.

After receiving a 911 call around 9:30 p.m. Oct. 6 about a running vehicle stopped in the middle of a Sault Ste. Marie intersection with two people passed out inside.

When officers arrived, they found an SUV parked in the intersection of Pine Street and Wellington Street East.

When talking to the vehicle's occupants, officers noticed a 31-year-old man with drug paraphernalia and a prohibited pocketknife and arrested him.

The driver, a 30-year-old man, was suspended and prohibited from driving.

"A search of the occupants and the vehicle located approximately 39 grams of a substance believed to be methamphetamine, approximately 27 grams of a substance believed to be cocaine and approximately 41 grams of a substance believed to be fentanyl," Sault police said.

"The estimated street value of the drugs seized is more than $23,000. They were also in possession of loose shotgun shells."

They are both charged with three counts of drug trafficking and careless storage of ammunition.

The driver is also charged with operation while prohibited and the passenger with unauthorized possession of a weapon.

They were both held in custody pending a bail hearing.

None of the allegations has been proven in court.

SAME TIME, NEXT NIGHT

The next evening, a 911 call came in around 9:30 p.m. about another unconscious driver behind the wheel of a running vehicle on Queen Street East.

When officers arrived and woke up the driver, they noticed drug paraphernalia in the vehicle.

Believing the 35-year-old man was impaired by drugs, he was arrested and taken to hospital for a substance screening.

"A subsequent search found the accused to be in possession of approximately 20 grams of a substance believed to be fentanyl. The drugs seized have an estimated street value of more than $10,300," police said.

The accused is charged with operation while impaired with drugs and/or alcohol and possession of Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking.

He was released from custody and is scheduled to appear in court Nov. 27.

The allegations have not been proven in court.