A Clearwater man is facing drug charges after being stopped in Barriere on Jan 17, and in McLure on Jan 26.
During the stops police seized a number of drugs including heroin, cocaine, marijuana and dilaudids. Police are also recommending charges of driving while impaired by drugs.
On Jan. 25, RCMP members from Southeast District Traffic Services and Barriere had a road check set up on Highway 5 near McLure.
A vehicle approached just after midnight (Jan. 26) with two occupants. An officer had the vehicle’s driver pull to the side of the road to check the status of his driver’s license.
While dealing with the driver, the officer noted indicators that caused him to enter into an investigation under the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act.
A police dog was deployed. The dog gave a positive response to drugs and the occupants were arrested
A search incidental to arrest located 26 gm of cocaine and 0.3 gm of heroin along with drug paraphernalia.
The driver, a 50-year-old male from Clearwater, went before a Justice of the Peace charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking (cocaine) and possession of a controlled substance (heroin). He was released with a number of conditions on recognizance to appear in Kamloops Court at a later date. The passenger was released without charges.
The same person had been stopped in Barriere on Jan. 17, for a Motor Vehicle Act offence.
The officer noted signs of impairment. A drug recognition expert evaluated the driver and came to the conclusion his ability to operate a motor vehicle was impaired by drugs.
A search of the vehicle incidental to arrest located 6.4 grams of cocaine, 102 grams of marijuana, a small quantity of crack cocaine and 35 pills believed to be dilaudids (hydromorphone).
Charges of impaired driving and possession of a controlled substance are being recommended. He was released and will appear in Kamloops court in May.
Hydromorphone is an opioid pain medication and is sometimes called a narcotic. It is addicting and can cause a number of side effects. A person may possess it if he or she has a valid prescription, but it cannot be sold.