Ancaster man violated COVID-19 provincial emergency act by selling drugs: police

An Ancaster man charged with cocaine trafficking has also violated, police say,a COVID-19 provincial emergency order.

The emergency management and civil protection act that orders all non-essential business to stop operating was violated by the man Friday, police say, when they found him selling drugs. It's the second time, police say, they have issued a notice of violation.

In the area of Main Street East and Sanford Avenue South, police saw a Jeep Grand Cherokee that was not properly plated and being "aggressively" driven. Police say they saw the driver make several stopsto sell drugs. Just before 8 p.m., police say they arrested the driver and seized $3,400 worth of cocaine, $5,690.00 in Canadian currency and $20 in American currency.

The man was charged with violating the emergency act and was issued a provincial offence ticket.

The first charge related to violating the act was handed to Shisha Kaif Cafe onUpper James Street on March 19. Police issued the charge after confirming that the business was operating as usual, despite the province-wide order. Both the business and its representatives received tickets for "failing to comply with the order made during the declared emergency."

The Ancaster man alsofaces charges of possession of cocaine for the proceeds of trafficking, "possession of proceeds over $5,000 -Canadian"and "possession of proceeds under $5,000- American," police said in an email Tuesday morning.

If found guilty on violating the emergency act, he could receive $750 in fines and service charges.

The manwas taken into custody and attended the John Sopinka Courthouse on Saturday.