A hunch paid off for Nanaimo RCMP when an officer conducted a vehicle stop and found drugs, weapons and cash inside.
On Saturday November 21, 2020, an officer spotted a suspicious vehicle repeatedly circling the downtown core. He stopped the vehicle just before 10 a.m. on Victoria Crescent.
As the officer approached the driver’s window, he spotted two large knives in the back seat and a large fold of money in the driver’s pocket.
After verifying the driver’s identification, he was found to be wanted on a warrant for breaking and entering and for uttering threats.
The driver was immediately arrested and a search produced several grams of substances believed to be fentanyl and methamphetamine, as well as $700 in cash.
He was subsequently taken to cells, where a further search produced 50 jeweller bags believed to contain methamphetamine, which had been hidden in his underwear.
RCMP also found a black replica Beretta airgun stuffed under the front seat of the vehicle.
“Needless to say, police officers are not afforded the time to discern if a firearm is real or not,” said Cst. Gary O’Brien.
“An authentic looking replica firearm will always be treated as real and may tragically result in real life consequences.”
The RCMP also noted that an inspection of the vehicle showed that the tires had virtually no tread left on them.
The vehicle was towed and will not be allowed back on the road until the tires are replaced with road worthy ones.
The driver was later released without conditions while the investigation continues. He is potentially facing charges of possession of a controlled substance, but no charges relating to the seized weapons.
