Last week, Saanich Police made two separate traffic stops within 24 hours that led to the recovery of a stolen vehicle, drugs, and prohibited weapons.
On November 18, 2019 just before 2:30 p.m officers of the Traffic Safety Unit were patrolling in the 3400 block of Saanich Road in a police vehicle equipped with an automated licence plate reader (ALPR). The system alerted them to a stolen vehicle. They arrested a male driver and female passenger at the scene, which then led to the discovery of drugs believed to be fentanyl and cocaine, as well as bear spray and a taser.
The next day, just before 1:30 p.m., one of the same officers was again patrolling using the ALPR, this time in the 4000 block of Quadra Street. A male driver was arrested for driving while prohibited, drugs and weapons were discovered by police, this time believed to be fentanyl and crystal methamphetamine, along with bear spray and brass knuckles.
In the first instance, the vehicle was seized and later returned to the registered owner. The driver was charged under the Motor Vehicle Act and charges are being investigated for the drugs and weapons.
The second driver was charged for Driving While Prohibited under the Motor Vehicle Act, the vehicle was impounded and the charges related to the drugs and weapons are also being investigated further for the consideration of charges.
There does not appear to be any connection between the two traffic stops.
“The ALPR technology continues to be an effective investigative tool that our officers are using to improve road safety, reduce crime and increase patrol efficiency,” said Cst. Markus Anastasiades.
Cst. Markus Anastasiades
Public Information and Communications Officer