A Niagara-on-the-Lake man stopped for driving with his licence suspended has been charged with possession of nearly 17 grams of suspected crystal methamphetamine.
A traffic enforcement officer of the Niagara Regional Police was driving a police car equipped to recognize licence plates of suspended drivers, a police report said, and pulled over the driver of a Mazda3 sedan Monday evening, on Hartzel Road near Walnut Street in St. Catharines.
During the traffic stop, the officer confirmed the driver had a suspended licence, and during a search, found 16.9 grams of suspected crystal methamphetamine. Kevin Lee Bentum, 50, of Niagara-on-the-Lake was arrested and charged with possession of crystal meth and driving while under suspension.
Bentum was released and is scheduled to attend court on Feb. 23 in St. Catharines.
Anyone with information related to this investigation is asked to contact the officer-in-charge by dialing 905-688-4111, option 3, extension 1009558.
Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to persons who contact the program with information that leads to an arrest.
The NRP program that identifies suspended drivers by their licence plates has been designed to comply with the guidance of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario, the police report says.
