Ontario Provincial Police say a routine traffic stop on Highway 401 near Lansdowne led to the seizure of about 340 pounds of illegal cannabis worth an estimated $680,000.
An officer stopped a vehicle shortly before 10:30 a.m. Wednesday (Oct. 14), after allegedly seeing the driver using a cellphone while driving.
During the investigation, officers discovered a large quantity of cannabis. After arresting the driver, police also found a concealed weapon, a knife and items commonly associated with drug trafficking.
Constantin Kontopidis, 32, of Toronto, has been charged with possession for the purpose of distributing, carrying a concealed weapon and driving while using a handheld communication device.
The accused was released from custody and is scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Brockville on Dec. 11.
The Leeds County OPP, the provincial joint forces cannabis enforcement team and the provincial asset forfeiture unit assisted with the investigation.
Anyone with information can contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477.
