Guests at an Ontario wedding will certainly have to order something other than beer at the reception, as Ontario police have seized a stash of 326 cases of Quebec beer for illegal possession.
A detachment of police officers were called to respond on Highway 401 on Wednesday for a rental van that was traveling on the side road because of a blown tire, the Ottawa Citizen reported.
When they arrived, they found the vehicle continuing to drive slowly. The driver then stopped when he saw Ontario Provincial Police officers.
The officers noticed four cases of beer on the passenger seat next to the driver. The boxes bore only French inscriptions, giving agents a clue to their origin.
When asked about the beer transport from Quebec, the driver remained “evasive,” English-language media said.
“A further search for alcohol in the vehicle revealed that the entire rear of the van was filled with cases of beer,” the police report states.
After the vehicle was unloaded, the final balance was 326 cases of 24 different types of beer.
Ultimately, the driver admitted that the alcohol was not purchased in Ontario and was intended for a wedding and not for his personal consumption.
Remember that alcohol purchased in Quebec and transported to another province must be for personal use only and is at risk of confiscation.
The driver is therefore charged with illegal possession of alcohol, illegal purchase of alcohol and using an unsafe vehicle.