Impaired driver charged with drug offences in St. Catharines

A 39-year-old man is facing drug-related charges in St. Catharines after being stopped by officers under suspicions of impaired driving late Thursday night.

A concerned citizen first reported a blue 2017 Volkswagen that they were behind was driving erratically and bumping into curbs around 10:31 p.m., according to officers.

Police were able to locate and stop the vehicle at Frank Street and Church Street and upon speaking with the driver, formed grounds to believe he was impaired.

The driver was subsequently arrested and a search of the vehicle was conducted that led to the seizure of 65 grams of suspected fentanyl and 32 suspected Benzodiazepine pills.

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Daniel Denis Petrucci of St. Catharines has now been charged for impaired driving while under the influence of drugs and two charges of possession with the purpose of trafficking.

As a result, the vehicle has been impounded and the accused has been issued a license suspension for 90 days.

Petrucci has since been released from custody on Form 10 Undertaking, with a court date set for Dec. 29.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the investigating officers by calling 905-688-4111, option 3, extension 1004233, reference incident 23-133607.

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