Ten charges have been laid against a Maple Ridge man after he was arrested by RCMP on Wednesday for carrying drugs and guns.
Christopher Leigh Harmes, 30, appeared in Port Coquitlam Provincial Court on Thursday and was remanded in custody.
Harmes was carrying two concealed and loaded handguns at the time of his arrest, according to Ridge Meadows RCMP.
Police also said he was in possession of fentanyl, a synthetic opiate that is similar to heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine.
The drugs were packaged for individual sale to users on our streets, Cpl. Alanna Dunlop said.
Harmes is known to local RCMP and, because of a previous conviction, was prohibited from having firearms.
The fact he was found carrying loaded firearms while prohibited is a significant concern to police.
RCMP also searched a home on Garden Street that was associated with Harmes, and seized from it ammunition and other items that are used in the distribution and sale of illegal drugs.
Police also searched a house on 122 Avenue and recovered a stolen firearm and stolen bicycle.
The owner of the Garden Street home evicted the renters and boarded it up. City of Maple Ridge works crew boarded up the 122 Avenue home.
The RCMP Street Enforcement Unit searched a house on 224th Street the previous week as part of a crackdown on drug dealing downtown.
“Police want to warn all citizens, in particular the people who use harsh street drugs, such as heroin or cocaine, to be very cautious about fentanyl,” Dunlop said.
“This synthetic drug can be absorbed through the skin and even a small dosage can be fatal. Users quite often believe they are purchasing heroin, but are really buying fentanyl.”
Police ask that anyone who comes upon any package that contains a powdered substance, quite often white in colour, to call them.
“Do not handle, and leave the package in a safe place outside.”
