Two men have now been charged in a pair of busts in Robson and Waneta Junction this week that resulted in the seizure of drugs and the disposal of explosives.
On Tuesday, RCMP expected search warrants in the 8600 block of Highway 22A at Waneta Junction and in the 1000 block of Mountain Street in Robson as part of a drug trafficking investigation.
At the Robson property, police seized suspected cocaine, fentanyl and meth, along with cash, guns, ammunition and explosives. A police bomb squad disposed of the explosives the following evening.
“Residents in the Castlegar area may have heard the disposal of the seized explosives,” Staff Sgt. Monty Taylor said in a news release. “We want to reassure the public that the disposal was conducted by specialized personnel in a manner that prioritized public safety and was completed using the safest methods available.”
Brian Mackay, 43, Robson, was arrested without incident and has been charged with drug possession for the purpose of trafficking plus three firearms-related offences.
At the Waneta Junction property, police seized cocaine, meth, and ketamine, along with a gun, ammo, cash, a vehicle, and other items they believe to be related to drug trafficking.
Six people were arrested without incident. Five were later released without charges. Tyson Simons, 18, has been charged with drug possession for the purpose of trafficking and a firearms offence.
Both Simons and Mackay appeared in court on Wednesday and were remanded in custody until their next court appearances.
