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Drugs, cash and replica firearm seized in Nanaimo vehicle stop

A Nanaimo RCMP officer seized drugs, weapons and cash after stopping a suspicious vehicle circling the downtown core. The vehicle was stopped just before 10 a.m. Nov. 21 on Victoria Crescent.
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RCMP

A Nanaimo RCMP officer seized drugs, weapons and cash after stopping a suspicious vehicle circling the downtown core.

The vehicle was stopped just before 10 a.m. Nov. 21 on Victoria Crescent. As the officer approached, he saw two large knives on the back seat and a large fold of cash sticking out of the driver’s pocket, said Nanaimo RCMP spokesman Const. Gary O’Brien.

Once the officer identified the driver, he found the man had an outstanding arrest warrant for break and enter and uttering threats.

The driver was arrested and a search of his clothing found several grams of what was believed to be fentanyl and methamphetamine and $700 in cash. A further search in Nanaimo RCMP cells uncovered 50 jeweller bags of suspected methamphetamine in the man’s underwear, O’Brien said.

Police also found a black replica Beretta CO2 firearm under the car’s front seat, within easy reach of the driver.

This was an excellent proactive vehicle stop by a front-line officer, who acted on his police instincts and it paid off,” O’Brien said. He said officers will always treat a replica firearm as a real weapon.

The vehicle was towed from the scene because its tire had almost no tread and was not safe to be on the road.

The driver has been released while the investigation continues. He could face charges of possession of a controlled substance.