Failure to pay cab fare eventually leads to drug charges

A 31-year-old man's decision to flee a taxi without paying the fare eventually led to much more serious charges.

The taxi driver phoned Greater Sudbury Police during the early morning hours of Dec. 28, reporting that a passenger had failed to pay his fare after arriving at his destination in New Sudbury.

Officers located the passenger, and arrested him after they discovered he was under an outstanding arrest warrant for failing to attend court dating back to 2000.

During the arrest, officers found that he was carrying 22 grams of cocaine, valued at more than $1,700. He was charged with possession of a controlled substance.

The suspect, however, eventually did reimburse the driver for the cab fare.