About three pounds of cocaine were recovered in a smuggling incident on Anarchist Mountain early this week that resulted in three arrests.

Osoyoos RCMP said they were alerted by U.S. Border Patrol on before 10 p.m. on Monday, March 30 that three males were illegally crossing the border into Canada near Highway 3.

Police went to the area and intercepted a vehicle leading to three males fleeing on foot.

The driver, a 35-year-old Osoyoos resident and Canadian citizen, was arrested at the scene.

Osoyoos RCMP called in additional resources from Osoyoos, Keremeos, Oliver and Penticton, including a police services dog.

After an extensive search of the area, two of the three men who fled were located and arrested for entering Canada without reporting.

A backpack was also recovered and contained close to three pounds of cocaine.

RCMP say the third man is still unaccounted for,

The two arrested are a 31-year-old U.S. citizen and a 34-year-old Mexican citizen.

The investigation is ongoing and all face potential charges of importing cocaine, Osoyoos RCMP said in a news release.

The U.S. and Mexican citizens also face charges under the immigration act and have been turned over the Canada Border Services Agency.

“The quick results and apprehensions of the suspects could not have been accomplished without the collaboration of all our members who attended, as well as the help received from U.S. Border Patrol, Oliver/Osoyoos Search and Rescue and RCMP Air Services,” said Cpl. Jason Bayda, of Osoyoos RCMP in a statement.

RCMP searching for truck theft suspects following dramatic pursuit

Two suspects are still at large after RCMP pursued two stolen trucks to the Mount Baldy Road shortly before noon on Tuesday.

RCMP said resources being used by police in connection with a smuggling incident were diverted to pursue a stolen 2014 Dodge Ram eastbound on Highway 3 from Osoyoos.

An RCMP helicopter brought in to deal with the smuggling incident altered its course to pursue the stolen truck.

The truck was met by another stolen truck, a Ford F350 and both trucks travelled at a high rate of speed along Highway 3 to Mt. Baldy Rd.

Once on the Mt. Baldy Rd., the drivers abandoned both vehicles and fled on foot into a highly forested and rough terrain area, Osoyoos RCMP said in a news release.

Extensive police resources were used and congregated in the area including members from Osoyoos, Oliver, Keremeos, Boundary Regional, Penticton and Kelowna. Three police service dogs were used.

A ground search was conducted throughout the day and into the late night, but the two suspects have yet to be apprehended.

Both stolen trucks, an ATV and other stolen items were recovered, RCMP said.

The RCMP have identified a male and female they believe are responsible for these crimes and are using all avenues to apprehend them. The investigation is ongoing.

Police said they are treating the smuggling and truck thefts as unrelated incidents.