Shortly after 7:15 p.m. on August 10, 2024, officers were conducting a patrol on Medina Lane in Greater Sudbury. While on patrol, officers saw a pick-up truck that appeared to have an insecure load in the back. Upon running the vehicle, the registered owner of the vehicle came back as being uninsured. The officers followed the vehicle to Elm Street and then to Frood Road where the vehicle was seen making erratic maneuverers. Officers initiated the emergency lights on the marked cruiser and conducted a traffic stop on Kathleen Street.

Upon speaking with the driver, the officers detected signs of impairment. Officers identified the driver as 56-year-old, David Champaigne and determined that the driver’s licence was currently suspended for unpaid fines. The driver was placed under arrest for Drive While Under Suspension under the Highway Traffic Act and Prohibited Operation under the Criminal Code of Canada. While searching the driver, officers located a bag of what was believed to be cocaine. The driver was further charged with Possession of a Schedule I Substance.

The driver was transported to police headquarters where officers performed a Standard Field Sobriety Test. The driver performed poorly leading officers to believe that the driver was impaired by drugs. A Drug Recognition Expert completed an evaluation and confirmed that the driver was impaired by drugs leading to an additional charged of Impaired Operation

While at headquarters, officers were informed that additional bags of illicit drugs and cash had been located inside the vehicle by officers on scene. Therefore, the original possession charge was changed to Possession of a Schedule I Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking x3 and Possession of Property Obtained by Crime. In total, officers located and seized 54.8 grams of suspected crack, 42.2 grams of suspected cocaine, 24.4 grams of suspected fentanyl, and 32 grams of suspected crystal meth with an approximate street value of $17,450, as well as over $550 in cash.

56-year-old, David Champaigne was held overnight in police custody and attended Weekend and Statutory Holiday (WASH) court on August 11, 2024, to answer to the charges.