OPP seize fentanyl, cash and a gun after highway stop

A late-night traffic stop along a highway stretch in Chatham, Ont., has led to the seizure of dozens of fentanyl patches, as well as cash, a handgun and other weapons, police say.

An Ontario Provincial Police officer pulled over a Toyota Matrix near Charing Cross Road, on the westbound side of the highway, at 11:55 p.m. on Monday.

Police say that further investigation led to the seizure of 65 fentanyl patches as well as a small amount of suspected methamphetamine and oxycodone.

Additionally, police reported seizing an unloaded handgun, some ammunition, a BB gun, a knife and cash.

It was not immediately clear why the vehicle was stopped on Monday night, but OPP Const. Janine Belanger said these types of scenarios are not uncommon for police to encounter along the highway.

"Oftentimes on the 401 corridor, we will see these types of stops — drug seizures and so on — because that is a main artery between Detroit and as far as the 401 will go," Belanger told CBC News in a telephone interview on Wednesday.

The four people who were inside the vehicle have been arrested.

Two people from Lakeshore were arrested, along with two people from Mississauga.

All face drug possession and trafficking charges, as well as weapons-related counts.

The four accused are being held in custody for a bail hearing on Friday, Belanger said.

The charges have not been proven in court.