Pemberton police seized weapons, drugs and arrested several individuals following a routine traffic stop on Highway 99 at Portage Road last week, according to a release.
At about 12:30 a.m. on March 26, officers pulled over the car for a cracked windshield before learning the driver was prohibited from operating a motor vehicle. The driver was subsequently arrested and released on court documents.
Further investigation led to the arrest of four of the vehicle's other occupants on drug charges after police seized almost 11 grams of fentanyl, 34 grams of methamphetamine, 80 grams of marijuana, less than a quarter gram of heroin, and drug paraphernalia, police said. Investigators also found a number of knives, two batons, two cans of bear spray, nunchucks and brass knuckles, as well as Canadian currency totalling $670.
Ultimately, charges were approved for the 34-year-old male driver for driving while prohibited and a 33-year-old woman for one count of possession of a prohibited or restricted weapon and three counts of possession of a controlled substance.
All of the occupants were from communities in the Interior, police said.
Two days later, Pemberton RCMP pulled over another vehicle on Portage Road, this time for a smashed window, police said. During the traffic stop, officers noticed suspected methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia in the vehicle.
The vehicle’s three occupants were arrested on possession charges, and a later search of the vehicle also turned up several break-in instruments. One of the occupants, a 51-year-old man*, was later released on court documents for one count of possession of break-in instruments.
*Police originally noted the age of the suspect as 41, before clarifying with the correct age. This story has also been updated as more information became available.
Police step up traffic enforcement on Hwy. 99 near Emerald
Whistler RCMP say they have been “paying extra attention” to a stretch of Highway 99 between Autumn Drive and Emerald Drive after reports of motorists “speeding and unsafely passing on the shoulder” while drivers attempted to make a left-hand turn, according to a release.
Cpl. Nate Miller “would like to urge motorists not to pass vehicles on the shoulder of the road,” the release said. “Motorists passing on the shoulder is illegal and dangerous as many pedestrians cross the highway in that area. Be patient and wait a few seconds for the vehicle ahead of you to make its turn before you proceed.”
Passing a vehicle illegally can come with a fine of $109.
Anyone who observes a motorist speeding or passing on the shoulder is asked to contact the Whistler RCMP’s non-emergency line at 604-932-3044.
Whistler police have also stayed busy with impaired driving enforcement in the past week, issuing a 24-hour driving suspension, a three-day driving suspension, and two 90-driving prohibitions.
“Cpl. Miller would like to remind the public that if your activities involve alcohol, plan ahead for a safe ride home,” the release said. “Leave your car overnight and consider taking a taxi, transit, using a ride-hailing service, or call a friend.”
Over the past week, police in Whistler and Pemberton saw 111 total files, including two collision investigations, two thefts, three frauds, and 14 disturbance calls.
