Traffic stop in Kelowna turns into drug bust

A man found himself in deep trouble with the police after he was observed committing a minor traffic violation.

The driver failed to stop for a pedestrian at a marked crosswalk in downtown Kelowna shortly before 9 p.m. Saturday, April 29, according to an RCMP media release. He was traveling northbound on Water Street from Bernard Avenue.

The officer who watched it happen pulled the man over, RCMP said. As the officer approached the 1997 Toyota Corolla, he noticed open liquor in the centre council and a male in the driver’s seat who appeared intoxicated.

The driver was asked to step out of the vehicle and a baggy of pink pills, suspected to be illegal drugs, fell to the ground. He was arrested for possession of a controlled substance.

When police searched his vehicle quite a bit more was discovered – 495 grams of methamphetamines, 216.7 grams of cocaine, 51.2 grams of fentanyl and $870 cash. There was also “other evidence suggesting he is a street level drug dealer,” the release says.

A photo provided by the RCMP shows many of the drugs portioned into small baggies.

The suspect was held in custody before being released to attend court, RCMP said.

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