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

The investigation began as a traffic stop for a possible suspended driver after police spotted a white 2009 Jeep in the area of Roxborough and Barons avenues on Wednesday night. Police stopped the Jeep at about 10 p.m. and confirmed the driver's licence was suspended for unpaid fines.

During the interaction, 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 receipts for 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, 247 grams of cannabis, valued at $2,500, were seized.

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

He was released on a promise to appear in court on Sept. 11.

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 shops.

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-ups and illegal cannabis delivery services.

Some bricks-and-mortar dispensaries voluntarily closed before legalization last fall, while others were shut down in a series of raids by an OPP-led provincial task force in which Hamilton police also seized and locked the properties.

There is no indication that the man arrested Wednesday night is tied to a known illegal dispensary company, but if that were the case, police would work to shutter any property, Const. Jerome Stewart said.

"We are aware that potentially this service could be offered by illegal dispensaries; we have no evidence to support that this person was providing that service," he said.

There are same-day illegal cannabis delivery services operating in Hamilton, Stewart said. But enforcement falls under the mandate of the Provincial Joint Forces Cannabis Enforcement Team.

Anyone with information about this case 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.

noreilly@thespec.com

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