A vehicle pulled over by police in Nanaimo because it didnB次元官网网址檛 have insurance was found to contain 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.

B次元官网网址淸Officers] know the problem spots and when they see a vehicle, theyB次元官网网址檙e looking for a reason to stop it,B次元官网网址� said Gary OB次元官网网址橞rien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesman. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not so they can issue a little violation ticket or a warning. ItB次元官网网址檚 so you identify who the driver is, run them for warrants and to see if thereB次元官网网址檚 anything in the car they shouldnB次元官网网址檛 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.B次元官网网址�

Police found an allegedly stolen insurance sticker, a loaded 12-gauge shotgun, a loaded 12-gauge B次元官网网址榸ip-gunB次元官网网址� 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.

B次元官网网址淲e took it over to a nearby field, secured it and then [the explosives disposal unit] came over from Vancouver and blew it up,B次元官网网址� said OB次元官网网址橞rien. B次元官网网址淚t was a homemade explosive device that could do serious damage or death to somebody.B次元官网网址�

RCMP also say they found suspected fentanyl, several hundred dollars in Canadian currency, ammunition and B次元官网网址榬ip-bagsB次元官网网址� B次元官网网址� kits containing zap straps, handcuffs, duct tape, knives and other items B次元官网网址� that OB次元官网网址橞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.

OB次元官网网址橞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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