Three facing charges after Mounties find cocaine during seatbelt stop: Sask. RCMP

Three people are facing criminal charges after a traffic stop due to an alleged seatbelt violation early this month.

According to a statement issued Wednesday by the Saskatchewan RCMP, the traffic stop happened on Highway 55 east of Meadow Lake back on Nov. 1, when an officer noticed a passenger who allegedly hadn’t buckled up.

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“After examining the information of the three occupants of the vehicle, the Meadow Lake (traffic) police officer informed the occupants they were detained on scene for the purpose of a drug investigation,” the RCMP said in a statement.

A police search of the vehicle turned up 54 grams of suspected cocaine, a metal baton, a scale, three phones, several baggies and other drug paraphernalia, the Mounties said.

Police said a search of the vehicle turned up suspected cocaine, a baton and drug paraphernalia. (Saskatchewan RCMP/Submitted)

Police said all three occupants of the vehicle are now facing charges.

A 40-year-old man from Manitoba was charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and possession of a prohibited weapon. A 34-year-old man from the Witchekan Lake First Nation was charged with three counts of possession of a weapon contrary to a court order, failing to comply with an undertaking, identification fraud and obstructing a police officer. A 44-year-old woman from the Witchekan Lake First Nation was charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking.

All three are set to appear in court in Meadow Lake in January, the RCMP said.

Police added that an investigation indicated the drugs were headed for the Witchekan Lake area, northeast of North Battleford.