RCMP highway safety blitz on northern B.C. highways nabs drug runners

PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. – Mounties conducting a road safety blitz on two northern B.C. highways last week found more than just a few seatbelt violations — they also made several big drug busts.

The traffic stops along Highways 5 and 16 were aimed at making sure people were buckled up and commercial vehicles were in good repair.

But officers also discovered five kilograms of marijuana concealed in the pontoons of an inflatable fishing boat, leading to drug charges against a 32-year-old man from Williams Lake, B.C.

On another stop, police found 11 kilos of marijuana in a large hockey bag, resulting in the arrest of a 27-year-old Alberta man.

A 46-year-old man from McLeese Lake, B.C., is also facing drug charges after officers discovered marijuana, some hash and about $13,000 in cash in his vehicle.

In addition, the driver of a commercial truck is facing charges after he admitted to smoking marijuana and taking the pain killer Percocet that had not been prescribed to him.