Chatham-Kent Police cruiser. (Photo by Jaryn Vecchio)
Chatham

Moraviantown man busted for weapons, drug offences during traffic stop

A 36-year-old Moraviantown man is facing several charges after a traffic stop in the Bothwell area turned up two guns and a "significant quantity" of methamphetamine.

Chatham-Kent police said an officer who was patrolling the Bothwell area shortly after 12 a.m. Tuesday saw a pickup truck driving in the opposite direction on Selton Line and tried to make a traffic stop by pulling a U-turn after obtaining the vehicle's license plate, but by the time the officer turned around, the vehicle was already out of sight.

Police were able to trace the vehicle back to a Bothwell resident and the officer started driving to the registered owner's address when the vehicle re-appeared.

The officer pulled over the pickup truck and learned that the 36-year-old Moraviantown man who was behind the wheel had previously been suspended from driving.

When police searched the vehicle, they allegedly found a .223 caliber rifle, a loaded .32 caliber handgun, a significant quantity of methamphetamine, materials used for drug packaging, and over $1,000 in cash.

The driver was arrested and taken to police headquarters where he was held pending a bail hearing and then later taken to the Southwest Regional Detention Centre with a future court date.

He is currently charged with two counts each of careless use of a firearm, unauthorized possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm knowing possession is unauthorized, and unauthorized possession of a motor vehicle. He is also charged with one count each of possession of a prohibited firearm with ammuntion, drug possession for the purpose of trafficking, and driving while suspended.

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