Driver facing drug trafficking charges after stop at RIDE program in PEC

A Belleville driver is facing multiple drug charges after being stopped at an Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) RIDE program on Highway 62 earlier this week.

The RIDE program was conducted in the early morning hours of Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023, on Highway 62 near County Road 3 when a vehicle entered the program around 3:30 a.m. According to a release from the OPP, an investigation revealed the driver was in breach of conditions and was arrested. A subsequent search led to the seizure of a quantity of suspected cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl, as well as a knife and drug paraphernalia.

Catherine Frizzone, age 45 from Belleville, was charged with the following criminal offences:

• Five counts of failure to comply with release order – other than to attend court
• Possession of a prohibited device or ammunition
• Possession of a schedule one substance for the purpose of trafficking – methamphetamine
• Possession of a schedule one substance for the purpose of trafficking – cocaine
• Possession of a schedule one substance for the purpose of trafficking – other drugs

Frizzone was held for a bail hearing before the Ontario Court of Justice in Belleville the same day.

In response to Kingstonist inquiries, Acting Sgt. Aaron Miller, Media Relations Officer for the OPP East Region, said that Frizzone was remanded into custody. Kingstonist has further inquired as to the prohibited device/ammunition the accused had in their possession, as well as to verify the date the RIDE program took place, as a RIDE checkpoint was reportedly in the same spot the night before. This article will be updated if/when more information becomes available.