Man wanted in two provinces arrested in downtown Kelowna

Kelowna RCMP searched two men found hiding behind an umbrella downtown last week and one of them faces drug trafficking and weapons charges.

Officers on patrol Friday, Sept. 23, spotted the two men on a bench near St. Paul Street and Cawston Avenue around 1:30 p.m., according to an RCMP news release.

Police found large quantities of fentanyl, cocaine and Dilaudid, along with weapons, cash and drug production equipment.

One of the two men was wanted in two different provinces and was arrested. RCMP do not identify the wanted man nor do they say in which two provinces he was wanted.

RCMP said the man they arrested has had several "negative police contacts" in Kelowna and is now facing new potential drug and weapons charges.

Once the investigation is complete the evidence will be sent to the B.C. Prosecution Service for charge approval, RCMP said.

"Investigations like this demonstrate how effective proactive foot patrols can disrupt criminal activity," RCMP Sgt. Scott Powrie said in the release.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Levi Landry or call 250-819-3723 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.