Submitted by BC Highway patrol
On March 28, 2022, BC Highway Patrol’s Special Traffic Operations, Traffic Safety Unit/Police Dog Service and the Integrated Impaired Driving Unit (IIDU), were conducting a joint forces operation on Highway 5 near Valemount, when a vehicle was stopped for speeding. The two male occupants, both from Alberta, displayed behaviour which led officers to believe the men were in possession of controlled substances.
Both men were arrested after a positive drug dog confirmation on the vehicle and advised of their rights under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Subsequently, the vehicle was searched and an estimated $150,000 in apparent Canadian currency was located along with six cell phones and receipts indicating suspicious banking activity.
Both men are well known to police in western Canada. They were later released on conditions and given a future court date, subject to Crown Counsel approving charges. Arrangements were made to return the vehicle to the rental company.
“The officers engaged in this operation are seasoned traffic officers and experts in traffic enforcement and impaired driving investigations,” says Sgt. Gregg Calibaba of the Traffic Safety Unit/Police Dog Service.
“Our mandate is to conduct traffic enforcement and disrupt criminal activity which demonstrates how BC Highway Patrol is making our highways safer together.”
