Nanaimo RCMP arrested a known offender in the parking lot of Port Place Mall in mid-January, who was carrying large amounts of cash and drugs. (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

SIZEABLE BUST

‘Thousands’ of potential fentanyl doses confiscated by Nanaimo RCMP during routine patrol

Jan 27, 2021 | 9:21 AM

NANAIMO — A proactive police officer has helped keep a large quantity of illegal drugs off Nanaimo streets.

A uniformed patrol officer happened upon someone he’d dealt with in the past during a routine walk through the Port Place Mall parking lot on Sunday, Jan. 17.

Cst. Gary O’Brien said the officer recognized 39-year-old Terrance Virus through previous interactions.

“He approached the individual and immediately arrested him. He had several items on him, a back pack and satchel. The officer checked those and it had thousands of dollars and a lot of illegal drugs.”

A further search at the Nanaimo detachment uncovered $21,000 in cash along with significant quantities of suspected methamphetamine, crack cocaine and fentanyl.

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“The amount of fentanyl seized (259 grams) is signficant. That’s thousands of people who could access those drugs and potentially die from it.”

Quantities of crack cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl were recovered by Nanaimo RCMP during a routine patrol (submitted/Nanaimo RCMP)

Digital scales, two phones, hundreds of zip-lock bags and a knife were also recovered.

As a result of this most recent arrest, Virus faces three additional counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking.

He remains in custody and is due in court Feb. 1.

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