17-year-old among suspects charged in Vernon drug ring investigation | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan's News Source
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17-year-old among suspects charged in Vernon drug ring investigation

Police say the packages of drugs pictured in this handout photo were of varying weight but at street level weight for sale.
Image Credit: RCMP HANDOUT

VERNON - A recent drug bust will have a significant impact on the supply of illicit substances coming into the Vernon area, police say.

An investigation that unfolded over the course of “numerous weeks” according to an RCMP press release resulted in the arrests of several people, including three people in their 20s as well as a 17-year-old. 

The group was trafficking drugs such as cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin mixed with fentanyl, Cpl. Dan Moskaluk says.

On Aug. 26, Vernon Mounties arrested a 17-year-old Lower Mainland teen believed to be supplying drugs to street level traffickers in Vernon, states the release.  He was charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking. He is on conditions to reside in the Lower Mainland but has future court appearances in Vernon.

On Oct. 27, police arrested a 29-year-old Vernon woman and a 21-year-old Lower Mainland man also believed to be supplying drugs at the street level in Vernon. They were released from custody for a future court date and RCMP are recommending both be charged with possession of cocaine, methamphetamine, and a heroin/fentanyl mixed opioid for the purpose of trafficking.

On Nov. 2, 2017 police arrested a 24-year-old man near his residence on Academy Way in Kelowna. He is believed to have been supplying drugs to Vernon for distribution to street level traffickers and is due to appear in court on Nov. 3 to face proposed charges of possession for the purpose of trafficking, Moskaluk says.

Following the arrest, police executed search warrants at two residential locations associated to the man, a condo in 800 block of Academy Way and a condo in 3500 block of Woodsdale Road in Lake Country. 

“The search warrants resulted in seizure of multiple ounces of cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin/fentanyl mixed opioid packaged for street level distribution along with cash and other items related to drug trafficking,” Moskaluk says in the release. 

Police ultimately seized 118 packages of methamphetamine, 666 packages of cocaine and 753 packages of a fentanyl/ heroin opioid. The packages were of varying weight but at street level weight for sale, according to the release.

"This seizure will have a significant impact on the drug supply to the Vernon area and is a good example of enforcement action by the RCMP in targeting those responsible for distributing fentanyl and other illicit drugs in our community,” Sgt. David Evans of the Vernon RCMP Targeted Policing Unit says in the release.


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News from © iNFOnews, 2017
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