A drug trafficking investigation is underway after West Shore RCMP officers found an unconscious driver in Langford with drug paraphernalia on his lap on the weekend.
Officers checked on the individual after receiving calls about an unconscious man in his pickup truck in the 2600-block of Deville Road around 11 a.m on Saturday, Sept. 21.
West Shore RCMP said the man showed signs of drug impairment after he was woken up. The 40-year-old man, who also was wanted Canada-wide for being unlawfully at large at the time, was arrested for impaired driving. The man has been transferred back into the custody of Correctional Services Canada.
According to Cpl. Nancy Saggart, media relations officer, the man was a parolee who had been convicted of drug trafficking and possession of a firearm. He had been at large since Aug. 6.
Officers searched the man's vehicle and seized 21 ounces of drugs suspected to include cocaine, fentanyl and methamphetamine. Police also seized 250 millilitres of a substance commonly known as GHB, which various government agencies warn is often used as a date-rape drug because of its sedative effects.
“Anecdotally, having experience with these types of investigations, it's probably in combination of thousands of doses,” said Saggar, adding that the financial value of the drugs could be in the thousands of dollars.
Officers also found drug packaging and weighing materials in the man's truck.
West Shore RCMP said its drug trafficking investigation is ongoing and a detailed report will be provided to Crown counsel to consider criminal charges.
