Police seize drugs during traffic enforcement campaign

A three-day RCMP traffic enforcement campaign near Valemount last week netted a large amount of marijuana along with its share of bad drivers.

North District RCMP Cst. Lesley Smith provided details on four drug-related cases as a result of the campaign, that ran Oct. 16 to18 along Highway 16 and Highway 5.

- A 27-year-old Alberta man was arrested after police found 25 pounds of marijuana in a large hockey bag in his vehicle. The man, who was also prohibited from driving and was in breach of a number of conditions, was held in custody before being released by a justice of the peace.

- A 46-year-old McLeese Lake man is facing drug trafficking charges after RCMP located marijuana, some hash and about $13,000 in cash inside his vehicle

- A 32-year-old Williams Lake man was arrested after police found 11 pounds of marijuana concealed in the pontoons of an inflatable fishing boat. The man, who faces a trafficking charges,was released on a promise to appear in court on a later date.

- The driver of a commercial transport truck was issued a 24-hour driving suspension due to drug impairment. Marijuana and three bottles of Percocet pills not prescribed to the driver were seized and he is now facing drug-related charges.

In all, 15 drug seizures were conducted and 10 24-hour driving suspensions due to drug impairment were issued.

For non-commercial drivers, 13 vehicles were impounded, 41 notices and orders were issued, as were 31 orders and 33 non-moving and 21 moving violation tickets. As well, a Salmon Arm man was arrested on an unendorsed warrant.

For commercial drivers, 15 of their vehicles were taken off the road due to defects, and 36 violation tickets and 48 notices and orders were issued.