A police interception of some mobile drug suspects led to several hours of investigation and a long list of pending charges.
The city's drug squad was already on scent of the suspects Thursday night when they made a move to arrest two adult males in separate vehicles. An Audi sedan and a Dodge pickup were halted and the two men cuffed for drug trafficking at about 5:30 p.m. They were the only people at the scene, and no weapons were involved.
The work was just beginning, however. Investigators found clues that indicated a particular address should also be inspected in the 2900 block of Andres Road. Just past midnight, Friday, Mounties knocked on that door and the next layer of the investigation unfolded.
"During the search, a significant quantity of cocaine, a small marijuana grow operation, over $6,000 in cash and two prohibited 'stun gun' type weapons were located," said Prince George RCMP spokesman Cpl. Craig Douglass. "A youth female was arrested in the residence."
Possession, production and trafficking in drugs are all charges being contemplated, as well as weapons offences. The names of the adult suspects will be disclosed if Crown counsel officially lays any of the charges.
"It is an in-depth file. It will be a comprehensive package of recommended charges that we will provide to Crown," Douglass said. "It will take some time to do that. The suspected drugs have to be sent to a lab and analyzed, the cash has to be properly processed, there are photos and other clues to assess, witnesses to speak with, statements from the suspects, a lot of information has to come together on a case like this."
Part of the issue is the vehicles involved. They will become part of their own court proceedings, should charges be laid.
"They could be forfeited for government auction or returned to the owners - those are the two possible extremes," said Douglass. "Keep in mind this investigation is ongoing but it is believed the two vehicles were used as a conveyance, in other words: were tools in the commission of the crime. Therefore they may be seized and put through a court process to decide what happens to them. Police do not profit from our law enforcement activities, so should everything be proved accordingly in court, they would be turned over to the government for their disposal."
Douglass said public information given to police played a key role in these three arrests and significant disruption of drugs. He encouraged more tips to be called in for similar action by local Mounties.
If you have any information about drug activities in the Prince George area or persons involved in drug activities, please contact the Prince George RCMP at (250) 561-3300 or anonymously contact Crime Stoppers at 1 (800) 222-TIPS (8477), online at www.pgcrimestoppers.bc.ca, or Text-A-Tip to CRIMES using keyword "pgtips".
