A man and woman from Portage la Prairie are facing numerous drug-related charges stemming from a traffic stop earlier this week in Long Plain.

According to police, on Jan. 5, a little after 11 a.m., Manitoba First Nations Police were alerted by Long Plain security that a vehicle went through the security check point with a non-community member, who was restricted from entering the community as per current health orders surrounding COVID-19.

Police located the vehicle and a traffic stop was then initiated. The driver of the vehicle was issued a ticket under the Provincial Offences Act and all occupants exited the vehicle. It was at this time police say a knife was observed in an outer pocket of a backpack located inside the vehicle, and in the backpack was a can of bear mace.

A subsequent search of the vehicle uncovered a crystal-like substance - believed to be meth, three scales, numerous dime bags, a pre-filled syringe with a red-like substance, skin swabs, and a large quantity of cash - all items that police say are indicative of drug use and trafficking of meth.

A 27-year-old woman was remanded into custody to appear in court and faces charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of meth for the purpose of trafficking, and possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000. A Portage man, 28, faces charges of possession of a prohibited weapon, three counts of weapons possession contrary to court order, and failing to comply with a release order.