Wawa-news.com You can't hear the 'big picture'!
On August 5, 2024, the Sault Ste Marie Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were on patrol duties on Highway 17 within the community of Garden River First Nation.
At approximately 3:30 a.m., police observed a westbound vehicle travelling at a high rate of speed. Police pursued the vehicle as it entered Sault Ste Marie City limits travelling at more than two times the posted speed limit. A subsequent traffic stop was initiated on Trunk Road with the assistance from Batchewana First Nation Police Service and officers arrested the driver and two passengers.
The OPP’s Canine Unit assisted with the vehicle search and located over $5600 of Canadian Currency, suspected cocaine, suspected fentanyl (estimated street value of over $30,000), a machete, and drug paraphernalia.
As a result, the driver Derrick DERASP, 33 years-of-age from Scarborough was charged with:
- Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking-cocaine
- Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking-Opioid (other than heroin)
- Possession of a weapon
- Drive motor vehicle-perform stunt-excessive speed
The accused appeared before the Ontario Court of Justice Video Bail in Sault Ste Marie on August 9, 2024, and was remanded into custody.
Michelle LAPOINTE, 31 years-of-age from Sault Ste Marie was charged with:
- Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking-cocaine
- Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking-Opioid (other than heroin)
- Possession of a schedule substance-methamphetamine
- Failure to comply with release order-other than to attend court
The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario court of Justice in Sault Ste Marie on September 23, 2024.
Aumi RIVARD, 18 years of age from Sault Ste Marie was charged with:
- Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking-cocaine
- Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking-Opioid (other than heroin)
- Obstruct peace officer
The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario court of Justice in Sault Ste Marie on September 23, 2024.
- Marathon OPP – Impaired Driver arrested during RIDE Check - August 14, 2025
- Marathon OPP – Driver charged with Multiple Offenses after Erratic Driving Complaints and Flight from Police - August 14, 2025
- East Algoma OPP – Another Driver charged with impaired after being found in ditch - August 13, 2025
