Ten guns, seven of them loaded, an illegal high-capacity magazine, drugs and cash were seized at a traffic stop in Keremeos.
On the morning of Nov. 1, an officer with BC Highway Patrol-Keremeos observed a vehicle on Highway 97 that was associated with a suspected prohibited driver.
A traffic stop was conducted and the driver, a local man in his 40s, was taken into custody. The man was allegedly found to be in possession of suspected drugs, said BC Highway Patrol. A subsequent search of his vehicle revealed:
* 10 firearms, seven of which were loaded;
* 1 prohibited and loaded high-capacity magazine;
* significant quantities of suspected cocaine and methamphetamine;
* significant amount of currency;
* firearms seized included one 9mm semi-automatic pistol, one revolver, one shotgun and seven rifles including a 7.62 SKS rifle with a folding bayonet.
The Penticton RCMP Street Enforcement Unit and the E Division Explosive Disposal Unit assisted with the investigation. The vehicle was impounded and multiple charges for firearms, drugs and driving-related offences are being recommended under the Criminal Code of Canada and the BC Motor Vehicle Act.
“This is a significant seizure by BC Highway Patrol of drugs and weapons associated to suspected criminal activity,” said Sgt. Ryan McLeod, of BCHP-Keremeos.