PONTEIX – Officers seize significant amount of dangerous goods being hauled illegally during traffic stop.
On July 27 at approximately 9:30 a.m., Saskatchewan RCMP’s Combined Traffic Service’s Roving Traffic Unit were conducting patrols on Highway 13 near Ponteix. They stopped a semi for a compliance and safety check.
They determined that a semi operated by a B.C. based trucking company was potentially in breach of several commercial vehicle laws. The Saskatchewan Highway Patrol were contacted to assist in the investigation.
Officers discovered that the semi was illegally hauling 24,000 kilograms of corrosive liquid, including UN3265 and Glycere 540, both class 8 dangerous goods.
Through further investigation, officers discovered that semi was not permitted to carry dangerous goods, the driver was not trained or certified to operate a vehicle with dangerous goods, and there was no placard on the truck identifying dangerous goods, among other offences. It was also determined that there are no mandatory weigh scales on the highway the semi was driving on.
The driver, a 28-year-old man, from B.C., has been charged with one count, obstruction of a peace officer. The driver also received multiple commercial vehicle-related tickets.
He is scheduled to appear in Swift Current Provincial Court on Nov. 26.
“The safe transportation of dangerous goods is essential to protecting Saskatchewan's highways, communities and economy," said Michael Weger, Minister of Community Safety. “I want to thank the Saskatchewan Highway Patrol and the RCMP for their vigilance and professionalism in identifying these violations and taking action. Their work helps keep our roads safe for everyone, every day."
Saskatchewan RCMP and Saskatchewan Highway Patrol continue to investigate.
