2 charged after 5 kilos of meth seized during Super Bowl RIDE program in Whitby

Almost five kilos of crystal meth were seized by police during a Super Bowl RIDE program in Whitby on Feb. 9. (DRPS photo)

Two men have been charged after police in Durham Region say they seized almost five kilos of crystal meth during a Super Bowl RIDE (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) program.

Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS) say they pulled over a black Volkswagen SUV on Sunday during a RIDE checkpoint near Consumers Drive and Garden Street in Whitby after officers allegedly detected an odour of cannabis.

A search was subsequently conducted under the Cannabis Control Act, which resulted in the seizure of close to five kilograms of methamphetamine, they said.

Darren Simpson, 31, of Whitby, was charged with two counts of possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – cocaine; crystal meth, while Adam Persaud, 34, of Oshawa, was charged with one count each of possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – crystal meth, operate motor vehicle with cannabis readily available, and operate motor vehicle with liquor readily available.

The accused were both held in custody for a bail hearing.

Last night, DRPS’s RIDE team stopped 344 vehicles during the Super Bowl RIDE line. Two drivers were arrested for failure or refusal to comply with a demand. They were both criminally charged and face automatic roadside sanctions. Anyone who suspects that a driver is operating a vehicle while impaired is urged to call 911 immediately.

This investigation is ongoing and anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Const. Arafat of the Community Resource Unit at 1-888-579-1520, ext. 2943, or Crime Stoppers anonymously.