Licence plate issue leads to RCMP seizing drugs and weapons

A traffic stop by a Kelowna Mountie led to the arrest of two men and the seizure of drugs and weapons.

While patrolling on Harvey Avenue on Sunday, Dec. 11, an RCMP officer decided to check the licence plate of a 2008 red Mazda 3 after noticing the plate hanging by a single screw in addition to a burnt-out bulb. After discovering the registered owner of the vehicle was a female and seeing the two occupants were males, the officer pulled the vehicle over.

Once the identity of the male driver was determined, two other officers provided backup, with one of them spotting drug paraphernalia in plain view within the vehicle.

The two men were arrested for possession of a controlled substance.

RCMP say a search of the individuals and the vehicle resulted in 105 grams of fentanyl, 67 grams of methamphetamines, 7.5 grams of ketamine, 16 grams of morphine, GHB and lorazepam being seized along with a replica air soft pistol, axe, knife and scale.

“The officers in this case did an outstanding job,” Const. Mike Della-Paolera, media relations officer with the Kelowna RCMP, said. “Whenever there is a presence of weapons alongside a large amount of drugs, it obviously presents a risk to the public, including those already struggling with addictions, so taking them off the streets is particularly important.”