POLICE – Sleeping driver found with fentanyl, loaded handgun, ammo

More than a kilogram of fentanyl and firearms were located by police officers investigating a suspicious vehicle Monday morning.

On Jan. 20, 2025, around 2:30 a.m., Kamloops RCMP were responding to an unrelated incident on the 500-block of Columbia Street, when they observed a man who appeared to be sleeping in a running vehicle in a restaurant parking lot. As police approached the truck to check on its driver, they saw numerous weapons in plain view.

As the investigation continued, police also located a loaded handgun, ammunition, and body armour on the man’s person, along with other weaponry nearby, including a modified rifle, loaded magazines, and a significant amount of suspected illegal drugs.

“This kind of interaction illustrates the risks frontline officers continuously face while responding to what may seem like a routine traffic stop, check-well being, or suspicious occurrence report,” said Supt. Jeff Pelley.

“As part of this investigation, officers made a significant seizure of illegal drugs amounting to more than 1.5 kilograms of suspected fentanyl and 85 grams of cocaine, helping with the suppression and enforcement efforts toward drug traffickers who prey on those in our community.”

The driver, a man in his late 30s, was arrested, then released without process, with charge recommendations anticipated as part of the ongoing investigation.