Vernon RCMP uncover large qualities of prescription drugs during traffic stop

A routine North Okanagan traffic stop led to the arrest of two men after their vehicle was found to contain large amounts of drugs.

According to a Vernon North Okanagan RCMP media release, police stopped the suspicious vehicle in the early afternoon in the 3100 block of 24 Avenue, Dec. 12.

On searching the vehicle, police found fentanyl and cocaine packaged to be sold.

Along with the large quantities of drugs, Vernon RCMP also found 500 prescription pills in bottles inside the vehicle. None of the prescriptions were made out to either individual.

"This is another example of a concerning trend we are seeing with people selling or trading prescribed medication to street-level traffickers who are in turn selling them to people without prescriptions," Vernon North Okanagan RCMP Sgt. David Evans said in the release.

The two men, a 42-year-old Vernon resident and a 19-year-old Abbotsford man were arrested for the possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking and were released as the investigation continues.

The RCMP anticipates that charges will be forwarded to Crown prosecutors once the investigation is complete.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Ben Bulmer or call (250) 309-5230 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.