Huron OPP report drugs seized; traffic campaign; and back-to-school safety

MORE THAN $20,500 IN DRUGS, PROPERTY AND CASH SEIZED

(GODERICH, ON) - An investigation, conducted by the Huron-Perth OPP Community Street Crimes Unit (CSCU), West Region OPP Emergency Response Team, West Region Tactics and Rescue Unit and the Huron County OPP, resulted in the seizure of illegal drugs, weapons, cash, and offence-related property with a total value exceeding $20,500.

An illegal drug investigation was initiated by members of the Huron-Perth OPP CSCU which led investigators to a suspect in the Town of Goderich.

Thursday, Aug. 29, a search warrant was executed in Goderich which resulted in the seizure of controlled substances, assorted currency, weapons, and other offence-related items (below). One individual has been arrested and charged.



As a result of the investigation, police seized a quantity of suspected fentanyl, hydromorphone, and cocaine. Other seized items included digital scales, packaging material, cellular phones and several knives. One knife that was seized was a handgun replica knife. A quantity of cash was also seized.

The combined estimated value of the seized drugs is $12,600.

The combined estimated value of the seized property is $2,400.

Total currency seized is $5,540.

Kristopher FABER, 43, of Goderich has been charged with:
 

• Possession of fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking
• Possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking
• Possession of hydromorphone for the purpose of trafficking
• Unauthorized possession of a weapon, butterfly and spring-assisted knives - (two counts)
• Possession of weapons while prohibited - (three counts)

The accused was processed and is being held for a bail hearing scheduled at the Goderich Ontario Court of Justice.

*THESE CHARGES HAVE YET TO BE PROVEN IN COURT*

Any person with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact Huron OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or 519-482-1677. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or submit a web tip at "P3tips.com" where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.

LABOUR DAY HOLIDAY LONG WEEKEND TRAFFIC CAMPAIGN

(HURON COUNTY, ON) - Members of the Huron County OPP and the Huron OPP Marine Unit are taking part in the Labour Day Holiday Long Weekend traffic campaign between Aug. 30 and Sept. 2. Focus will be placed on the "Big Four" which include: distracted driving, alcohol/drug-impaired driving, speeding/aggressive driving, and lack of occupant restraint use.

Officers will be out in full force this weekend to monitor traffic flow on our roadways and ensure boating enthusiasts are enjoying the water safely.

Please plan ahead, drive soberly, and drive safely to and from your destinations. Respect others on the roadway, including cyclists, farm machinery operators and pedestrians.

Traffic safety is everyone's responsibility!

BACK-TO-SCHOOL SAFETY TIPS

(HURON COUNTY, ON) - Next week, children and teens across the Huron County OPP detachment area will be going back to school. Some will be walking; some will be riding bikes; and many others will be riding on school buses to travel back and forth from school.

The return of school buses and student pedestrians means the roads will be busier. Give yourself extra time to get where you're going and help keep our students safe.

The Huron County OPP is asking all drivers to be extra careful and observant for children on, or near, roadways, particularly near school zones. Keep your speed down and watch for students who try to cross the road in an unexpected location.

Crossing Guard Locations:

Did you know that it's against the law to ignore a school crossing guard? According to Section 176 of the Highway Traffic Act, your vehicle must be stopped until the crosswalk is clear.

Where a school crossing guard displays a school crossing Stop sign, as provided in subsection (2), the driver of any vehicle or streetcar approaching the school crossing guard shall stop before reaching the crossing and shall remain stopped until everyone, including the school crossing guard, has cleared the roadway and it is safe to proceed.

Motorists who fail to stop for a school crossing guard Stop sign face a fine of $365 and four demerit points, upon conviction.

School Buses:

The Huron County OPP is reminding drivers to watch for school buses stopped on the roadway with alternating red lights flashing. Under Section 175 of the Highway Traffic Act, drivers meeting a stopped school bus and drivers approaching a stopped school bus must stop:
 

• Every driver or streetcar operator, when meeting on a highway, other than a highway with a median strip, a stopped school bus that has its overhead red signal-lights flashing, shall stop before reaching the bus and not proceed until the bus moves or the overhead lights have stopped flashing.
• When approaching a school bus from the rear that has its overhead signal-lights flashing shall stop at least 20 metres before reaching the bus and not proceed until the bus moves or the overhead lights have stopped flashing.

Motorists who fail to stop for a stopped school bus face stiff penalties, upon conviction. First offence, the maximum fine is $2,000 and six demerit points. For each subsequent offence, the maximum fine is $4,000, or imprisonment, or both, and six demerit points.

If the driver can't be identified, the registered owner of the vehicle observed in violation of the law, may be charged with failing to stop for a stopped school bus.

The Huron County OPP encourages all parents and caregivers to take some time this weekend to talk to their children about the importance of being safe when travelling to and from school.

For more information on school buses and school crossings, visit: www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers-handbook/stopping.

The Huron County OPP will have enhanced high visibility patrols around school zones throughout the coming weeks to ensure drivers and students are following the rules of the road and are exercising the appropriate level of caution and care.

Our children's safety is everyone's responsibility. Everyone using the roads needs to exercise vigilance, patience and understanding as our students head back to school.  We ask you to do your part to keep our children safe.