An alleged drug dealer was convicted of multiple drug-related charges as a result of an undercover operation that took place in November.
On July 25, B.C. Supreme Court Justice John Steeves found 60-year-old Chase resident Ernest Klassen guilty of two counts of trafficking cocaine, as well as one count of possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking and possession of a controlled substance.
Steeves deemed that Klassen, who was representing himself, was not guilty of possessing marijuana with the purpose of trafficking, explaining that there was no concrete evidence the drug was intended to be sold.
However, Klassen was found guilty of possession.
These charges stem from an undercover RCMP operation in November, 2012.
Cpl. Marnie Kovacs testified how, on two separate occasions in the course of the investigation, officers were able to purchase $250 worth of crack cocaine from Klassen.
On Nov. 25, police raided his Trans-Canada Highway apartment near Chase and found about $2,000 worth of cocaine and $5,000 worth of marijuana.
Six men and two women in the Chase, Lee Creek and Scotch Creek areas were arrested in total during the operation. Police said they found a significant amount of powder cocaine, crack cocaine, cannabis and the precursors for manufacturing methamphetamine.
Along with the drugs, five rifles, a sawed-off shotgun and two pellet guns made to look like handguns were also confiscated.
Klassen, who was arrested by Chase RCMP, was believed to have been a part of a dial-a-dope operation. His girlfriend, who was also arrested, was later released without charges. Klassen will be back in court on Sept. 6 for sentencing.
