(COLLINGWOOD, ON) – On April 3, 2025, an officer from the Collingwood and The Blue Mountains Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) conducted a traffic stop on Mountain Road near 11th Line in the Town of Collingwood after an Automated Licence Plate Recognition (ALPR) alert identified a suspended driver.
The vehicle, a white Dodge Sprinter van, was stopped without incident. The lone male occupant, identified as Khwaja Najm KHWAJA HAFIZ, 31, of the Greater Toronto Area, was found to be a suspended and prohibited driver.
Further investigation revealed multiple active suspensions under both the Highway Traffic Act and the Criminal Code. Officers also located cannabis readily available within the vehicle and an imitation firearm-a BB gun-concealed under the driver’s seat.
KHWAJA HAFIZ was charged with the following offences:
- Operation while prohibited (2 counts), section 320.18(1)(a), Criminal Code
- Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, section 88, Criminal Code
- Drive while under suspension, section 53(1), Highway Traffic Act
- Fail to surrender insurance card, section 3(1), Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act
- Drive vehicle with cannabis readily available, section 12(1), Cannabis Control Act
- Drive motor vehicle – no currently validated permit, section 7(1)(a), Highway Traffic Act
- Confuse identity of plate, section 13(1), Highway Traffic Act
- Class G1 licence holder – unaccompanied by qualified driver, section 5(1), Ontario Regulation 340/94
In mid-July, the accused failed to attend court as required, and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
On July 24, 2025, members of the Collingwood OPP took custody of KHWAJA HAFIZ from the Napanee OPP. He was transported to the Collingwood detachment and held in custody for a bail hearing, which took place on July 25, 2025, at the Ontario Court of Justice in Barrie.
The Ontario Provincial Police remains committed to proactive enforcement strategies, community safety, and ensuring that individuals are held accountable through the judicial process.
Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at www.ontariocrimestoppers.ca or by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
Sgt. Wes Staddon
Collingwood & The Blue Mountains OPP
