(COCHRANE, ON) - The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) arrested and charged a driver with multiple offences after a traffic stop in Cochrane.

On Wednesday November 19, 2025, at approximately 3:40 pm, members of the James Bay (OPP) conducted a traffic stop on Highway 11 West after an Automated Licence Plate Recognition (ALPR) alert indicated the registered owner was a suspended driver.

Police confirmed the driver to be the registered owner and confirmed they had multiple driving suspensions including a Criminal Code prohibition was found to be suspended for multiple reasons, including Criminal Code prohibition.

During a search incident to arrest, officers located a quantity of suspected fentanyl on the individual. A subsequent search of the vehicle led to the seizure of approximately $2,500 in Canadian Currency, an imitation handgun and additional drugs suspected to be crack cocaine, cocaine and fentanyl.

As a result of the investigation, Melissa BOUCHARD, 40 years-of-age of Cochrane, was charged with the following offences:

• Operation while prohibited
• Fail to comply with probation order
• Possession of imitation weapon for dangerous purpose
• Carrying concealed weapon
• Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime under $5000
• Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking - cocaine
• Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking - crack cocaine
• Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking - fentanyl
• Drive while under suspension - two counts

The accused was held in custody for a bail hearing before the Ontario Court of Justice in Cochrane. The vehicle was impounded for 45 days as a result of the criminal driving suspension.