Kelowna driver spotted with crack pipe tells police he was ‘only’ smoking pot

A 58-year-old Kelowna driver spotted by RCMP with a crack pipe in his mouth earlier this week told the officer who pulled him over he was “only” smoking marijuana, police say.

An officer in an unmarked cop car passed a vehicle on Harvey Avenue in Kelowna at approximately 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 6, and saw the glass pipe in his mouth.

“Perhaps he didn’t realize it’s illegal to be impaired by any drugs while driving — including cannabis,” BC Highway Patrol media relations officer Cpl. Michael McLaughlin said in a media release.

A search of his vehicle turned up a butane lighter and a glass pipe typically used for smoking crack cocaine but no sign of any cannabis. He told police he had smoked crack earlier in the day.

The driver didn’t do well on a field sobriety test and was taken to hospital so his blood could be tested.

His vehicle was impounded, he got a 24-hour driving suspension and was handed a ticket for not having his driver’s license with him.

He may face criminal charges depending on test results.

“Impairment in any form is unacceptable, and that includes prescription and recreational drugs,” Cpl. McLaughlin said. 

“You need to drive sober all of the time, and especially in slippery, winter conditions.”