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Massive weekend bust

If you are running from police in a stolen vehicle, you may not want to lead them right to your property with a plethora of illegal things for them to find.

Salmon Arm RCMP is getting a pat on the back after completing one of the largest drug busts in the detachment's history

An estimated value of $770,000 worth of illicit drugs and stolen property was seized in a bust on Saturday Aug. 29 in Tappen.

The whole thing started when RCMP received a report that a F350 truck with a camper on it had been stolen from a residence in Blind Bay.

“As the investigation began, police received further information that a truck matching the description was seen travelling on the Trans-Canada Highway towing a black Wellcargo trailer,” explains Sgt. Andrew Hunter

“The trailer, which was carrying a Harley Davidson (later confirmed stolen), came loose and crashed into the ditch, while the stolen truck fled the scene.”

Hunter says the truck was seen fleeing the scene by Chase RCMP officers. At first, officers lost sight of it, but it was witnessed once again by Salmon Arm RCMP members who continued the chase.

“The truck fled to a rural residence in Tappen with police following it,” says Hunter. “Upon arrival, police arrested the driver, but the other male suspect fled on foot into the woods.”

He says a third suspect was also at large as RCMP began scouring the rural property.

“The search revealed a marijuana grow operation and a prohibited weapon,” says Hunter. “A second male suspect was quickly located and arrested.”

With this evidence, police secured the residence and obtained a search warrant for the entire residence and the rest of the property.

“Upon searching the property, police located an ATV stolen from Alberta, a F350 truck and camper stolen from Blind Bay and a 2011 Kenworth logging truck stolen from 100 Mile House,” says Hunter.

“As well as the marijuana grow operation, police seized a substantial amount of drugs including; crack, cocaine, hash, heroin, crystal meth, amphetamine, psilocybin (mushrooms) and prescription drugs, as well as cash and drug trafficking paraphernalia.”

Within a few hours, police were able to locate the third suspect and place him under arrest.

All three men, aged 41, 32 and 30, were brought before a Justice and released on strict conditions with a date to appear in Salmon Arm Provincial Court.

All three men are local residents and are facing numerous charges of drug possession and trafficking, possession of stolen property over $5,000 and several firearms offences.

“Police estimate the value of the stolen property to be in excess of $350,000 and the street value of the drugs to be over $420,000,” says Hunter.

He says police continue to investigate the case and further charges against the men may be recommended.  



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