Wellington County Ontario Provincial Police uncovered multiple violations involving vehicle safety and illegal tobacco after stopping a motorist in the Town of Minto.
Officers with the Traffic Management Unit pulled a vehicle over on the afternoon of April 4 when their Automated Licence Plate Recognition system flagged a pick-up truck travelling along Wellington Road 109.
Investigators allege the driver had altered the vehicle’s licence plates using permanent marker in an apparent attempt to avoid detection. The markings were also used to mimic a different class of plate that did not match the vehicle.
Police found that same vehicle was stopped and inspected by the Ministry of Transportation recently, deemed unsafe and prohibited from being driven due to safety issues.
Officers also allegedly seized nearly 2,000 unmarked cigarettes from inside the vehicle.
A 63-year-old from Mount Hope is now facing six charges under the Highway Traffic Act and the Tobacco Tax Act, including operating an unsafe vehicle, driving a commercial motor vehicle despite a prohibition, having a defective braking system, defacing a licence plate, using an unauthorized plate, and possessing unmarked cigarettes.
The accused is scheduled to appear in Provincial Offences Court in Guelph at a later date.
