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ST. JOHN’S, N.L. — Newfoundland police are calling it “extraordinary” — officers recently stopped a driver who owes $158,000 in unpaid fines.

The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary says the 33-year-old man was allegedly caught driving with a suspended driver’s licence and no insurance on Thursday morning in St. John’s.

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Then officers discovered the man owes $158,000 in outstanding fines.

“This is extraordinarily high compared to what I would normally see,” said Const. Geoff Higdon in an interview on Friday. “When we’re doing these stops, you never know what you’re going to find.”

The man was held for a court appearance.

Higdon said outstanding fines of $10,000 and even $20,000 are not uncommon, as fines for infractions such as driving without insurance can quickly rack up for repeat offenders.

But he conceded $158,000 in unpaid fines is unusual.

Higdon said it’s possible the fines are not all related to driving infractions.