Eli, a police service dog, located heroin and crack cocaine below the steering column of a vehicle. An Oliver man suspected of dealing faces charges. (RCMP photo)
A 21-year-old Oliver man faces charges of possessing heroin and crack cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.
The man was arrested in Kelowna July 6 following a suspected drug transaction in broad daylight.
Kelowna RCMP said 40 bags of suspected heroin and 27 bags of suspected cocaine were found in a vehicle by Eli, a police service dog.
The illegal drugs were packaged individually for street-level sales and were found concealed below the steering column of the vehicle.
The incident occurred around 12:45 p.m. July 6 when an officer with the Kelowna RCMP Downtown Enforcement Unit observed an apparent drug transaction in the 500 block of Gaston Ave.
The officer stopped the suspect vehicle and was in the process of arresting and handcuffing the driver when the suspect suddenly turned unco-operative.
While handcuffed by only one arm through the driver’s side window, the suspect was believed to be destroying evidence inside the vehicle with his free hand.
Additional officers attended the scene and assisted in taking the man into custody. A second man at the scene, who police believe to be the dealer’s potential buyer, was arrested, but later released without charge.
The Oliver suspect faces potential charges of possession of a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
He was released from custody and is expected to appear in court in October.
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Oliver Chronicle
Drugs, including heroin and crack cocaine, were packaged individually for street-level sales and were found concealed below the steering column of a vehicle driven by an Oliver man, 21, who now faces charges. (RCMP photo)
