Hamilton police say they arrested a cannabis deliveryman caught with several paper bags of the drug in his vehicle.

The investigation began as a traffic stop Wednesday night after police spotted a white 2009 Jeep in the area of Roxborough and Barons Aves. for a possible suspended driver. Police stopped the Jeep around 10 p.m. on Aug. 7 and confirmed the driver’s licence was suspended.

During the arrest police smelled a strong odour of cannabis coming from the vehicle and saw a clear plastic container holding cannabis on the passenger seat, police said.

Officers then found several paper bags containing various amounts of cannabis with details of buyers attached. Police also found two cellphones, cash and a GPS unit that showed a route to a nearby address.

Police seized the items and the man was arrested. In total police seized 247 grams of cannabis.

The 43-year-old Hamilton man is facing charges of possession of cannabis for the purpose of selling, possession of proceeds of crime under $5,000 and driving while suspended.

He was released on a promise to appear in court in mid-September.

While personal possession of cannabis is legal in Canada, in Ontario it can only be purchased legally online through the Ontario Cannabis Store or at licensed stores.

At one time, Hamilton had as many as 80 illegal dispensaries. Police have said the illegal storefronts have closed, but they continue to deal with pop-ops and illegal cannabis delivery services.

Some bricks-and-mortar dispensaries voluntarily shut down before legalization last fall, while others were shut down in a series of raids by an OPP-led task force.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Hamilton Police division 2 staff sergeant’s office at 905-546-2963.

To remain anonymous contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or crimestoppershamilton.com.

Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading...