A Vernon man was arrested after Nanaimo RCMP pulled over a vehicle that they say contained drugs, weapons and an improvised explosive device.

According to Nanaimo RCMP, officers were patrolling the area near Bowen and Meredith roads at about 2 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 22, when they spotted a suspicious vehicle. Officers determined the suspect vehicle, an older-model Ford Focus, did not have valid insurance, so they pulled it over to investigate further.

含羞草研究社淸Officers] know the problem spots and when they see a vehicle, they含羞草研究社檙e looking for a reason to stop it,含羞草研究社� said Gary O含羞草研究社橞rien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesman. 含羞草研究社淚t含羞草研究社檚 not so they can issue a little violation ticket or a warning. It含羞草研究社檚 so you identify who the driver is, run them for warrants and to see if there含羞草研究社檚 anything in the car they shouldn含羞草研究社檛 have. In this case it was no insurance and then, in plain view, they saw some of the prohibited weapons in the back seat, so now they have grounds to not only arrest the driver and pull everybody out of the car, but to do a further search of the car.含羞草研究社�

Police found an allegedly stolen insurance sticker, a loaded 12-gauge shotgun, a loaded 12-gauge 含羞草研究社榸ip-gun含羞草研究社� improvised firearm, and a prohibited stun gun flashlight. An improvised explosive device was also found in the trunk of the car.

Members of the RCMP explosives disposal unit were consulted and recommended the IED be taken to a safe area until they arrived.

含羞草研究社淲e took it over to a nearby field, secured it and then [the explosives disposal unit] came over from Vancouver and blew it up,含羞草研究社� said O含羞草研究社橞rien. 含羞草研究社淚t was a homemade explosive device that could do serious damage or death to somebody.含羞草研究社�

RCMP also say they found suspected fentanyl, several hundred dollars in Canadian currency, ammunition and 含羞草研究社榬ip-bags含羞草研究社� 含羞草研究社� kits containing zap straps, handcuffs, duct tape, knives and other items 含羞草研究社� that O含羞草研究社橞rien said are used in home invasions.

A 31-year-old man from Vernon and a 23-year-old man and 28-year-old woman, both from Nanaimo, were arrested. Charges are pending and all of the individuals have been released while the investigation continues.

含羞草研究社淭hey含羞草研究社檙e obviously involved in criminal activity,含羞草研究社� O含羞草研究社橞rien said. 含羞草研究社淲hy are they here? What involvement do they have with Vernon? We will share [this] information with Vernon RCMP.含羞草研究社�

O含羞草研究社橞rien said the incident was an excellent example of general duty officers conducting a investigation that went from a charge of having no vehicle insurance, to the arrest of three suspects and getting weapons off the streets.

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