Port Alberni RCMP have been putting pressure on drug dealers, which has resulted in a few large scale busts.
Local officer in charge, Inspector Eric Rochette says significant quantities of drugs, cash and properties were seized in one recent case.
“The first two months of the quarter we focussed on a drug project,” said Rochette. “One individual was arrested during that project and he’s currently facing 20 charges. We seized from that individual one kilo of cocaine, a significant quantitty of fentanyl, and half a kilo of meth as well.”
According to Rochette, police also seized vehicles, a handgun and $65,000 cash in that arrest.
In his quarterly presentation to regional district directors yesterday, he said violent crimes and property crimes in rural areas has seen a “significant increase”.
Crime rates had been low in the rural areas for the past few years, but violent crimes increased 45% which includes sex offences, domestic violence and threats.
He said property crimes increased by 80% in the rural areas and 28% in the city and mischief to property was up 50% outside of city boundaries and 41% inside.
Rochette says he has applied for a seasonal policing increase, and will be meeting with RCMP headquarters today in regards to possible implementation of body cameras.
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