Five people are facing charges after a traffic stop near the RM of Ellice-Archie.

On Saturday, April 25th at 1:30 a.m., Russell RCMP pulled over a vehicle with 5 occupants.

The 32-year-old man from Birdtail Sioux First Nation driving the car informed police he did not have a license. It was later determined he was also prohibited from driving.

He was then arrested for impaired driving after he was found to have a blood alcohol concentration of 1.5 times the legal limit.

The driver faces charges of Impaired Operation of a Motor Vehicle, Impaired Operation Over 80, Drive while Prohibited, Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking, three firearms offences, Open Liquor and Possession of Unstamped Tobacco.

A search of the vehicle located a .22 cal. firearm, 2400 unmarked cigarettes, a small quantity of marijuana, prescription drugs, drug paraphernalia and open liquor.

Four other passengers, a 69-year-old male from Binscarth, a 47-year-old female from Waywayseecappo, a 56-year-old male and a 60-year-old female, both from Brandon, also face charges of Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking, Possession of Firearm in a Motor Vehicle and Possession of Unstamped Tobacco.

All five of the accused have been released, and are scheduled to appear in a Russell courtroom on September 23rd.