Two arrested, RCMP report stash of drugs and guns seized after investigation

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Police officers in Fort St. John say a large quantity of drugs were seized following two arrests and a search warrant execution earlier in August.

According to a new press release from the city’s RCMP detachment, on Friday, August 15th, officers completed a drug trafficking investigation at a hotel room near 93rd Avenue and 100th Street.

The investigation started after officers arrested two men who they say tried to flee from police in a vehicle in the hotel parking lot. The alleged attempted getaway reportedly caused damage to both the suspect car and a police vehicle.

Inside the suspect car, officers say they found drugs, money and two loaded handguns. One of the guns had reportedly been modified to fire fully automatically, meaning someone using it could hold down the trigger to fire repeatedly.

After the arrests, police executed a search warrant at the hotel room, where they say they found a “large quantity” of drugs, more money and a third firearm.

The two men arrested by officers were found to be from out-of-province, with officers alleging they were running a drug trafficking operation out of Fort St. John.

“It was very concerning that both males were in possession of loaded firearms, including one capable of automatic fire,” said Sergeant Ian Rissanen of the Fort St. John RCMP plainclothes unit. 

“This presented a serious risk to the community. The street enforcement team recognized the threat to the public and quickly actioned the investigation to apprehend the suspects who had attempted to flee.”

The two men who were arrested — one 20-year-old and the other aged 21 — were both subsequently released from custody pending approval of charges.