A routine check of a suspicious vehicle netted Vancouver Island RCMP the largest seizure of fentanyl for B.C. Mounties in the past few years.
According to Vancouver Island District RCMP, police pulled over a southbound driver near Nanaimo Airport at about 5 p.m. on Oct. 10.
The male driver, a resident of the Island, was arrested and a search of his vehicle turned up money and one kilogram of a powdered substance that analysis showed to be fentanyl.
The man was later released, pending charges.
The seizure is one of the largest for the RCMP in B.C. in the past few years, according to Cpl. Tammy Douglas, spokeswoman for Vancouver Island District RCMP.
“Locating and reducing the importation and distribution of fentanyl continues to be a priority for the RCMP, especially given the number of opioid deaths in British Columbia,” Douglas said, in a press release. “Our investigation is continuing to look for all those connected and responsible in the alleged trafficking of a harmful illicit substance in addition to determining the ultimate destination for the drug.”
Precautions were taken in dealing with the seizure and storage, given the dangers fentanyl poses. Earlier this month, RCMP officers across B.C. were given naloxone antidote kits in case officers come in contact with the drug.
The investigation is being handled by the Federal Serious and Organized Crime Group on Vancouver Island.
Anyone with any information is encourage to call RCMP at 250-754-2345 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.nanaimocrimestoppers.com.
