Drug, alcohol charges laid after long weekend RIDE programs

Over the weekend, members of the Prince Edward County (PEC) Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) laid charges at two separate RIDE programs in their area.

On Friday, Apr. 7, 2023, officers were conducting a RIDE program at Loyalist Parkway and Mallory Road. According to a release from the OPP, around 11:30 p.m., a vehicle entered the program and officers spoke with the driver. After further investigation, an approved screening device was administered, and the driver was arrested and transported to the detachment for further testing.

Marianne Byford, age 47 from Prince Edward County, was charged with the following offences:

• Operating a motor vehicle while impaired – alcohol and drugs
• Operating a motor vehicle while impaired – blood alcohol concentration of over 80 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood

Byford was released from custody and is to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in May 2023. They also had their drivers licence suspended for 90 days and vehicle impounded for a period of 7 days. Byford with be responsible for all related fees and fines.

Early in the morning on Monday, Apr 11, 2023, PEC OPP held another RIDE program, this time on Highway 62 near Rossmore. According to a release, around 1:30 a.m. a vehicle entered the program and officers observed open liquor in the vehicle, which led officers to conduct a subsequent search of the vehicle.

One occupant of the vehicle provided false information and it was later learned by officers this occupant had an outstanding warrant, the OPP noted.

According to the release, officers seized an imitation firearm, a quantity of suspected methamphetamine and a quantity of suspected cocaine. With the assistance of the East Region Community Street Crime Unit, Alisha Maille, age 32 from Belleville and Stephanie Maracle, age 31 from Belleville were arrested and charged with the following offences:

• Possession of a schedule one substance for the purpose of trafficking – cocaine
• Possession of a schedule one substance for the purpose of trafficking – methamphetamine
• Having liquor in an open container in an unauthorized place

The OPP said that Maille was further charged with obstructing a peace officer and three counts of failing to comply with a probation order.

Both parties were held for a bail hearing before the Ontario Court of Justice today, Tuesday, Apr. 11, 2023.

“Highway safety is a team sport, do your part and plan a safe ride home,” OPP said.