The North Okanagan Traffic Services’ police officer thought the pick-up truck he observed on Highway 6 at Kalamalka Road Thursday at 7 p.m. was overloaded.
The officer stopped the vehicle and talked to the driver and lone occupant of the truck. During his investigation, the officer noted the driver had in his possession a radio jamming device, an instrument police say puts them in danger.
“People involved in the drug trade or criminal activity carry these jamming devices that virtually disable our police radios from communicating,” said Vernon RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Gerry Kovacs.
“It becomes a huge safety issue for our officers. Our experience tells us a lot of people in the drug trade are possessing these.”
The officer then searched the vehicle and discovered 13 boxes of marijuana plants – 1,259 plants in all – along with potting soil, compost and other growing materials and chemicals.
“For the record, the vehicle was overloaded,” said Kovacs. “This was a good stop by our officer who looked beyond the ticket.”
A 33-year-old Kelowna man faces a charge of possession for the purpose of trafficking.
The case remains under police investigation.
