A Nanaimo man with a long criminal history is back in custody after multiple guns, cash, and "several ounces" of fentanyl were found in the vehicle he was driving. (Nanaimo RCMP)
huge bust

Nanaimo man busted with “several ounces” of fentanyl, guns, and cash

Jul 4, 2024 | 1:02 PM

NANAIMO — A prolific Nanaimo offender is facing multiple charges after a large amount of drugs, cash and guns were allegedly found in his truck.

Roger Ian Der, 44, was arrested on June 13 around 4:25 p.m., after a member of the Nanaimo RCMP Special Investigations and Targeted Enforcement Unit saw him parking and exiting a Chevy truck in the area of Nicol and Milton streets, knowing he was not legally allowed to be driving.

Der was arrested for breaching his bail order conditions, while a search of the driver found a bottle of pills believed to be illicit prescription drugs, allege Nanaimo RCMP.

Police say the officer could “clearly see” bottles of drugs in the truck, and a more extensive search of the vehicle turned up a loaded 12-gauge shotgun, a replica gun, thousands of dollars in cash, several ounces of fentanyl and hundreds of pills suspected to be illicit prescription opiates.

Der has been charged with 15 counts, including five trafficking charges, possession and careless storage of a firearm, and failure to comply with probation orders.

Der remains in custody on these latest charges.

He has criminal record across the mid-Island dating back to 2018, with convictions involving trafficking, property crimes and multiple breaches of court-ordered prohibition orders.

The Nanaimo RCMP Special Investigations and Targeted Enforcement Unit was formed following a 2023 provincial initiative to focus on repeat violent offenders, which has already been successful in keeping repeat offenders behind bars.

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