Drugs, handgun seized by RCMP

A two month RCMP investigation has ended with the seizure of numerous drugs, $20,000 cash, and a .357 caliber handgun.

RCMP spokesperson Gord Molendyk said the investigation began in late January with members of the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP Task Force and assistance from the South East District Emergency Response Team.

"When you have this amount of cash, there's a likelihood it's part of (organized crime),"Molendyk said. As the investigation is ongoing, he could not say for sure how broad the reaches of the operation were.

A search was conducted on Thursday, March 21 in the 1600 block of 33rd St.

Mounties found a .357 handgun, more than $20,000 in cash, over two ounces crack cocaine, nine ounces of powder cocaine, over half an ounce of methamphetamine, and more than half an ounce of heroin.

Two men, one 34-years-old, the other 18-years-old, were arrested on multiple drug and weapons charges.

The older man, a Vernon resident, is well known to police and was placed in custody for a future court appearance on drug and weapon offences. The younger man is also a Vernon resident and was released from custody for future court appearance on drug offences. 

“(I am) very pleased with the results of this investigation as (I) believe the persons involved were responsible for a significant amount of drug trafficking in our community,” Sgt. Dave Evans of the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP said.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Charlotte Helston at chelston@infotelnews.ca or call (250)309-5230.