Two cocaine busts in eight days

By Charlotte Helston

Exactly one week after two Vernon women were arrested for possession of powder and crack cocaine, a third woman is facing similar charges.

Last Friday, Feb. 22, a traffic services unit stopped a 2004 Chrysler car in the area of 31st Ave. and 29th St. The male driver was of little interest to police, but the two female passengers were familiar faces.

"(A) 31 year old woman was found to be in breach of her red zone conditions, because of previous infractions she was not to be in that area of the City," Gord Molendyk, spokesperson for the RCMP said. There are two red zone areas in Vernon, one near Cenotaph Park and another near the Upper Room Mission. Offenders are often restricted from these locations to prevent criminal activities.

"The suspect was detained and then found to be in possession of crack cocaine," Molendyk said.

A total of just over 27 grams of cocaine and $1000 in cash were seized from the woman. Molendyk said the cocaine was most likely on its way to be sold.

The other passenger, a 47 year-old woman, had, like her companion, also offended before.  She'd been charged with possession of drugs and driving while prohibited in early February.

"However this time (she) was in the passenger seat and was allowed to go without any charges," Molendyk said.

The 31 year-old suspect was remanded to appear in court Feb. 25 to answer to the charges of possession of cocaine and breach of bail conditions.

"It's an ongoing challenge for us to try and continue to eliminate the people who are selling within our community," Molendyk said

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