Liquor seized from a suspicious vehicle in Revelstoke. (Photo credit: B.C. Highway Patrol)

By Liam Verster

$100,000 in liquor seized

Liquor, drugs and cash seized from suspicious vehicle in Revelstoke

Nov 3, 2021 | 1:42 PM

REVELSTOKE, B.C. — A check on a suspicious vehicle in Revelstoke led to the seizure of expensive liquor, Canadian currency, and small quantities of drugs.

The B.C. Highway Patrol’s Traffic Safety Unit – Police Dog Services (BCHP TSU-PDS) conducted the check of the suspicious vehicle parked in an overnight parking area reserved for commercial vehicles at approximately 11:50 p.m. on the night of Oct. 27.

Officers saw the seats behind the driver of the suspect vehicle, a Toyota minivan, had been removed, and the back was filled from floor to ceiling with boxes concealed by a blanket. A search of police databases found the van’s occupants, a man and a woman from Calgary, were subjects of prior criminal activity in the Lower Mainland.

Based on the observations of the investigators, the occupants were arrested and provided access to legal counsel. The van was searched and approximately $11,000 in Canadian currency, small quantities of suspected cocaine and fentanyl, and around $100,000 in expensive, high-quality liquor purchased in Alberta was discovered and seized.

Police said they believe this was not the first time the couple has transported large quantities of liquor into B.C. It was determined the amount of liquor far exceeded personal use, and as it was brought across the border, investigators believe the intent of the couple was to re-sell the liquor to illegal casinos or private purchasers and avoid B.C.’s liquor tax.

holiday check stops

Nanaimo motorists shine during province-wide crackdown

16m ago

targeted job action

Striking Nanaimo postal workers disrupt Purolator operations

3h ago

final flight

Massive Philippine Mars waterbomber preparing for final Island departure

8h ago

“The mandate of BCHP’s TSU-PDS is to conduct high-volume traffic safety enforcement and, often, intelligence-led policing results in the interruption, interdiction and apprehension of traveling criminals,” stated Inspector Dale Carr, Officer in Charge of BCHP’s Special Traffic Operations.

“Frequently, investigators will find wanted persons, stolen property, drugs, weapons, cash and other contraband. By removing these individuals from our highways and disrupting their activity, we prevent this type of criminal behaviour from continuing and it is one of many ways we are making our highways safer together.”

Both individuals were released from custody pending further investigation.

Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact BCHP’s Special Traffic Operations at 604-539-2729 and quote file SED: 2100: 2021-5275.